Attorney General James Wins Case Against Notorious Deed Thief Joseph Makhani

 

After Seven-Week Trial, Jury Finds Makhani Guilty of Stealing Harlem Brownstones Worth $4.7 Million

New York Attorney General Letitia James won her case against Joseph Makhani, 63, of Kings Point, Long Island, for criminally possessing two brownstones located at 107 West 118th Street and 135 West 131st Street in Harlem with a combined value of approximately $4.7 million. Makhani’s actions forced one building’s elderly homeowner to remain in a homeless shelter despite being the true owner of a property valued at approximately $2.9 million. Makhani also unlawfully attempted to evict the tenants of the other stolen property. T he jury found Makhani guilty of two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree. Makhani was remanded into custody and will return to court for sentencing on July 28, 2026 in front of New York State Supreme Court Judge Michele Rodney. Makhani faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison on the top count.

“Joseph Makhani maliciously targeted an elderly homeowner and shamelessly attempted to evict long-time tenants in a heartless scheme to steal two homes that never belonged to him in the first place,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s conviction should serve as a warning to all deed thieves: my office will hold you accountable to the full extent of the law. I will continue to do everything in my power to combat deed theft and keep New Yorkers in their homes.”

107 West 118th Street

The evidence at trial showed that beginning in 2012, Makhani used fraudulent deeds, other false documents, and shell companies to steal the brownstone located at 107 West 118th Street from an elderly and vulnerable homeowner.

• In a 2012 filing used to further his scheme, a Makhani-controlled corporation claimed to have paid only $10 for the brownstone.
• In a mortgage application filed by Makhani, he falsely claimed that he paid $975,000 for the brownstone and in order to obtain a $650,000 construction loan for renovations.
• Makhani then refinanced and received a $1.2 million long-term mortgage loan on the property.
• Makhani also submitted a forged application to the New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in order to convert the building into market-rate apartment rentals. 
• From 2016 to 2023, Makhani rented out each unit for as much as $3,400 per month, allowing him to collect a monthly rent income of more than $12,000.
• Makhani was able to amass this wealth while the elderly owner of the brownstone never received any money from him.
• The true owner of the brownstone was forced to live in a homeless shelter for years. The value of the stolen home in 2023 was approximately $2.9 million.

135 West 131st Street

The evidence at trial showed that beginning in 2012, Makhani used fraudulent deeds and other false documents to criminally possess another brownstone located at 135 West 131st Street.

• Prior to Makhani's takeover, the last true deed recorded on this property was dated in 1975 in the name of an elderly homeowner who died soon after.
• Around 2012, Makhani approached one of the building’s tenants and told them that he had purchased the brownstone. Makhani secured the tenant’s signature by pretending to offer him a job.
• Makhani then filed a fraudulent deed, misrepresenting the tenant as the owner of the building to unlawfully transfer the property to a company he controlled.
• In 2013, Makhani attempted to evict the tenants of the brownstone and filed a lawsuit against the tenants on behalf of his company. During eviction proceedings, Makhani’s ownership of the brownstone and the deed were questioned.
• Makhani then filed a new fraudulent deed that claimed the heirs of the last recorded owner transferred the property to his company.
• The stolen home was valued at approximately $1.8 million in 2018. 

The evidence at trial showed that Makhani orchestrated fraudulent civil lawsuits as a part of his scheme to obtain the two stolen properties.  

Attorney General James thanks the New York State Police, New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York City Department of Finance, New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the New York State Department of State for their assistance in this matter.

New Yorkers who believe they are a victim of deed theft are encouraged to contact OAG by calling 1 (800) 771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or filing a confidential complaint online.