Man Accused of Living Rent-Free in New York Hotel for Five Years
New York City – Mickey Barreto, a 48-year-old man, has been accused of living rent-free in the iconic New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan for five years by exploiting a legal loophole. Barreto allegedly filed false property records claiming ownership of the hotel and tried to collect rent from another tenant, causing chaos in the building.
The saga began in June 2018 when Barreto, who had recently moved from Los Angeles to New York, booked a room at the New Yorker Hotel for one night. After his stay, he requested the hotel to provide him with a lease, citing the city’s housing law loophole that allows occupants of single-room buildings constructed before 1969 to require a six-month lease.
Although the hotel initially rejected Barreto’s request, he filed a lawsuit for unjustified eviction and won the case, forcing the hotel to give him a key to a room. Barreto then proceeded to live in the hotel without paying rent for the next five years, claiming that the owners never negotiated a lease with him.
However, the situation took a turn recently when Barreto was arrested and charged with multiple counts of filing false property records and criminal contempt. He faces fourteen counts of offering a false instrument for presentation in the first degree and ten counts of misdemeanor criminal contempt.
Barreto’s audacious scheme has left many shocked, raising questions about loopholes in housing laws and the challenges faced by property owners in dealing with such situations. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and due diligence in ensuring the integrity of property records and preventing fraudulent activities.
The New Yorker Hotel has not commented on the matter, but the incident has sparked widespread attention and concern among residents and property owners in New York City. Barreto’s case serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking to exploit legal gray areas for personal gain.
As the legal proceedings continue, authorities are working to unravel the complexities of the case and ensure that justice is served. The outcome of Barreto’s trial will shed light on the consequences of such deceptive practices and the need for greater scrutiny in the real estate industry.