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New York state announced an $8M fund is now available to compensate the victims of predatory landlord Steve Croman.
"This office has zero tolerance for predatory landlords who seek to line their pockets at the expense of their tenants' well-being," state Attorney General Barbara Underwood said in a statement yesterday, Crain's New York Business reports.
Croman paid the $8M as part of a consent decree after he was accused of harassing tenants in rent-controlled apartments in 140 buildings he owned in Manhattan. He is also said to have hired former cop Anthony Falconite to track tenants at their work and open mail, all with the aim of revealing they were not eligible for rent-regulation.
Last year, Croman was sentenced to a year on Rikers Island for criminal mortgage and tax fraud charges. He served eight months, Crain’s reports.
As part of a civil suit settlement with the AG last year, Croman was forced to provide $8M in the form of a restitution fund for people affected by his predatory tactics.
He was also forced to allow an independent manager to manage his properties for five years. People who lived in Croman’s buildings between July 1, 2011, and Dec. 20, 2017, may be eligible for compensation if they received a buyout of $20K or less.
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