Attorney General James And Governor Cuomo Announce Lawsuit Against Queens Landlord For Violating Rent Stabilization Laws And Tenant Harassment

Suit Alleges that Zara Realty targeted tenants in at least 38 rent-stabilized  buildings by charging excessive fees, coercing them into signing improper leases, illegally raising rents, and denying tenant rights  

  Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a lawsuit against Zara Realty Holding Corp., its principals, and affiliated entities for repeatedly violating rent stabilization laws and harassing tenants at their Queens apartment buildings. The defendants, who own and manage at least 2,500 rent-stabilized apartments in 38 buildings in and around Jamaica, Queens, have taken advantage of their tenants, who are largely immigrant middle- and low-income families, by charging them illegal fees and rents, and requiring that they sign illegal leases. The Tenant Protection Unit of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) uncovered these practices over the course of a two-year investigation and partnered with the Attorney General to file the suit. 

“For years, Zara Realty has engaged in an egregious pattern of tenant harassment and exploitation,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Evading our rent regulation laws and forcing low-income tenants to pay exorbitant fees for fake services is deception of the worst kind. This is a notice to all unscrupulous landlords who seek to hurt New Yorkers, we will not tolerate this behavior.”  

"Any landlord that harasses or cheats tenants will be punished to the fullest extent of the law - period," ‎said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. "New York State has zero tolerance for the unscrupulous behavior described in these allegations and our Tenant Protection Unit will continue to root out bad actors who take advantage of tenants and deliberately flout New York’s stringent rent regulation laws."   

“With today’s action, and through all of the work of the Governor’s Tenant Protection Unit, New York State is sending a strong message to the landlord community: We are watching, and if you mistreat your tenants, we are coming for you,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. 

The complaint, filed today in New York Supreme Court, alleges that Zara Realty has spent years evading and circumventing rent stabilization laws in order to scam tenants out of thousands upon thousands of dollars. Zara Realty often illegally demands and charges new tenants illegal key money, room reservation fees, advanced rent, and excessive security deposits. Tenants who continue to reside in Zara Realty buildings are often illegally charged late fees and fees for services to which they are entitled to for free such as regular apartment maintenance. 

Zara Realty regularly charges tenants moving into its buildings and tenants moving apartments within the same building a broker’s fee under the name “Jasmine Homes, LLC,” a company controlled by the Subraj family, though the Rent Stabilization Code prohibits landlord from collecting a broker’s fee. In addition, Zara Realty also charges tenants security deposits that equal three- to four-times the monthly rent, though the Rent Stabilization Code allows a landlord to collect only one month’s rent as security. 

The complaint also alleges that when Zara Realty takes over a new building, it changes the building’s front door lock and requires that tenants pay fees of up to $200 per key for the new lock. It also requires that tenants submit to background checks or sign new leases if they want a key. The investigation found that some tenants paid more than $11,000 simply to move into their rent-stabilized apartment.  

In the filing, the Attorney General seeks an injunction against Zara Realty on behalf of HCR, and it additionally seeks disgorgement, restitution, and other equitable relief under the New York Executive Law. 

The Attorney General’s Office and the Tenant Protection Unit and would like to thank Catholic Migration Services, Woodside on the Move, Chhaya CDC, Asian Americans for Equality, Legal Services NYC, the Legal Aid Society, New York Legal Assistance Group, the Jewish Association Serving the Aging, and the Urban Justice Center for their critical cooperation in this case.  

They would also like to thank TPU’s Senior Attorneys Shirali Shah, Monique Thomas and Stephanie Cunningham, as well as Assistant Counsel Karis Rasmussen, Acting Legal Director Argyro Boyle, and Acting Deputy Commissioner/Bureau Chief Gregory C. Fewer for their hard work and dedication in bringing this case to fruition.  

Oswald Feliz mediates Tenants and Stagg Management Representatives

  There was a meeting at 2987 Webster Avenue between Housing Lawyer Oswald Feliz, tenants of the building and Frank G. Bugllone, Michael Brabazon, and Javier Monroy representatives of the Stagg Group owners of the building. Complaints in the four year old building included broken appliances, lack of lighting in hallways, mold in apartments, roaches and mice from the compactor room coming into apartments, and several other matters. 

  Me. Feliz got right down to the heart of the problem with the representatives of the Stagg Group, and they agreed to have the problems solved. one major problem tenants said was that they can not get in touch with the proper person, and that there is no superintendent in the building. Security is poor also. 

Above - Ms. Barbara Stronzer of Community Board 7 stands in between the three representatives of the Stagg Group.

Below  - One tenant complains of no security camera in the stairwell, and roaches coming out of air vents.

Above and Below - More tenants complained of the substandard living conditions they mentioned, due to the lack of proper maintenance by the Stagg Group of the building. 

Also at the meeting was Kenny Agosto representing State Senator Jamaal Bailey and Assemblyman Jose Rivera. 

Bronx Democratic County Winter Event

  Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo welcomes those in attendance at the Winter get together for the Bronx Democratic County organization. This is an off election year with only the Bronx District Attorney and a few judge positions to fill, so the Bronx Democratic County organization has to get ready for 2020 where the primary has been moved up from September to June. That means in less than one year petitioning will start for state assembly, state senate, congress, and for the Presidency of the United States. 

Above- Bronx Democratic County Leader Crespo announced that the new commissioner at the Board of Elections from the Bronx would be Ms. Miguelina Camilo. 

Below - Coming off a defeat in the Public Advocate race Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake is with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz who was one of the many Bronx elected officials who supported Blake for the position of Public Advocate.

While many elected officials were still in Albany, in attendance were (L-R) Councilman Ritchie Torres, Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Councilman Andy Cohen, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Councilman Rafael Salamanca, State Senator Luis Sepulveda, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and Councilman Fernando Cabrera.

The Bronx Tourism Council - Spring is only a few weeks away...

SAVE THE DATE

MAY 9 - 19

MAYOR DE BLASIO NAMES ONENYC ADVISORY BOARD

Experts from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors are supporting the expansion of New York City’s blueprint to build a strong and fair city

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced his appointments to an advisory board that will support the process of creating a new One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City (OneNYC) by April 2019. Originally released in 2015 as the world’s first resilience strategy and a model for sustainable development, OneNYC provided a blueprint for tackling New York City’s most significant challenges. The new OneNYC strategy will continue to evolve to address the changing nature of challenges that confront our city.

“OneNYC provides a comprehensive blueprint to build a more resilient and just city, showing us the value of setting a bold vision to improve the lives of New Yorkers.  With the support of the experts on the OneNYC advisory board, we will go even further,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We’re excited to have such a talented and diverse group of experts contributing to the development of our new OneNYC blueprint, and help build a fairer city for all.”

“OneNYC has demonstrated the necessity of addressing the challenges of the 21st century head on. As New York City looks toward the future, we’re committed to bringing together the brightest minds to support our work,” said Daniel Zarrilli, OneNYC Director and NYC’s Chief Climate Policy Advisor. “With the advisory board’s help, the City will produce a new long-term strategic plan that will help to create a more resilient and inclusive city.”

The 39-person board is comprised of experts from a wide variety of disciplines, including civic leaders, businesspeople, academics, and community leaders. Several board members who advised the city on the original 2015 OneNYC strategy will be returning to offer their expertise for 2019. The advisory board will help craft New York City’s long-term strategy for tackling 21st-century challenges such as population growth,  aging infrastructure, stubborn inequality, an evolving economy, climate change, and other emerging risks.

As part of the OneNYC update, the City is also engaging in a campaign to solicit feedback from the public and a diverse set of stakeholders. As part of this engagement campaign, the de Blasio administration is holding events and meetings with civic associations, advocacy groups, business groups, youth and senior organizations, and local elected officials in all five boroughs and has developed an online survey where all New Yorkers can make their voices heard. To date, over 13,000 New Yorkers have responded.  To access the online survey, please visitnyc.gov/OneNYCsurvey.

Learn more about OneNYC here and here.

The OneNYC Advisory Board members include:

·       Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University (OneNYC Advisory Board co-chair)

·         Larisa Ortiz, City Planning Commission (OneNYC Advisory Board co-chair)

·         Vincent Alvarez, Central Labor Council

·      Christine Appah-Gyamfi, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

·         John Banks, REBNY

·         Michael Berkowitz, 100 Resilient Cities

·         Nancy Brous, NYC Watertrail Association

·         Costa Constantinides, City Council

·         Andy Darrell, Environmental Defense Fund

·         Donna DeCostanzo, Natural Resources Defense Council

·         Ingrid Ellen, Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy

·         Robert Englert, Staten Island Deputy Borough President

·         Henry Garrido, DC37

·         Peter Goldmark, Climate and Social Change Advisor          

·         Ibrahim Greenidge, BOLT Architecture

·       Hank Gutman, Chairman of Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp.

·         Corey Johnson, City Council

·         David Jones, Community Service Society

·   Jennifer Jones Austin, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies

·         Kyle Kimball, Con Edison

·         Eric Klinenberg, NYU Institute for Public Knowledge

·         Gary LaBarbera, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York

·         Bill McKibben, 350.org

·         Cheryl McKissack, McKissack Construction

·         David Miller, C40 Cities

·         Emily Nobel Maxwell, The Nature Conservancy

·         Michael Northrop, Rockefeller Brothers Foundation

·         Adam Parris, Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay

·         Francine Rosado-Cruz, Microsoft

·         Carlo Scissura, Building Congress

·         Allison Sesso, Human Services Council

·         Peggy Shepard, WEACT

·         Tony Shih, United Hospital Fund

·         Kate Sinding Daly, NorthLight Foundation

·         Amy Sugimori, 32BJ

·         Julie Tighe, New York League of Conservation Voters

·         Tom Wright, Regional Plan Association

·         Kathy Wylde, Partnership for NYC

·         Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE

Bronx Borough President Ruben O'Diaz Jr. - Irish Heritage Month Celebration

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Invites you to join him at his annual

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Rambling House

4292 Katonah Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.

5:30 - 8:30 P.M.

To confirm your attendance call 718-590-3989 or email smalave@bronxbp.nyc.gov

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ ANNUAL DOMINICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION

  On Thursday, February 28, 2019, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Dominican Heritage Month celebration at the Beverly Hills Manor on Jerome Avenue, honoring individuals who have contributed to the growth and promotion of Dominican and Dominican-American community and culture.

“The Dominican Republic is a land of hard-working people, excelling in different walks of life and business. A great number of prominent Dominican Americans right here in The Bronx are setting examples and paving the way for other Dominicans in New York City by working hard towards their goals,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

This year’s honorees include Supreme Court Appellate Division Presiding Justice Hon.Rolando Acosta, New York State Senate Secretary Alejandra N. Paulino, Esq. and Dr. Amarilis Jacobo. 

STATEMENT BY FIRST LADY CHIRLANE MCCRAY ON COMPTROLLER STRINGER’S THRIVENYC COMMENTS

  “I welcome Comptroller Scott Stringer’s “hard look” at ThriveNYC. Experts in behavioral health and health policy professionals have recognized Thrive as the most comprehensive mental health plan of any city in the nation. There is far too little understanding out there about mental health conditions and treatments. It is my hope that this examination will encourage elected officials like the Comptroller to take our Mental Health First Aid course and take time to learn more about this area of health that has been so sorely neglected. Perhaps now we can go beyond political posturing and lip service, and have the kind of public conversation our city must have to promote the mental health of our children and families.”

ThriveNYC has been recognized by various organizations, including the International City and Urban Regional Collaborative (I-CIRCLE), as a model approach that uses best practices and public health concepts to address mental health.