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NYC’s ‘worst landlord’ going to jail after turning himself in to city sheriff
By
David Brand
Published Mar 21, 2024
Modified Mar 21, 2024
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Photo courtesy of Loyda Irizarry
By
David Brand
Published Mar 21, 2024
Modified Mar 21, 2024
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A notorious New York City landlord turned himself in to the city’s sheriff on Thursday to begin a two-month jail sentence after blowing off a judge’s orders to correct a raft of hazards at two Upper Manhattan apartment buildings he owns.
Daniel Ohebshalom was found in contempt of court earlier this month for failing for years to fix hundreds of alleged violations both Washington Heights buildings, where tenants have faced crumbling ceilings, chronic vermin infestations and lead paint on the walls, according to city housing records. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development first sued Ohebshalom for needed repairs in the buildings in 2021.
“The ongoing conditions that the tenants of the subject premises have had to endure, have remained uncorrected since November of 2022, at least 16 months before this writing, and often longer,” Manhattan Judge Jack Stoller said in his contempt order on March 8.
A spokesperson for Sheriff Anthony Miranda said Ohebshalom, who lives in California, turned himself in at the sheriff’s Manhattan office at 3 p.m. Thursday, nearly two weeks after his arrest warrant was issued. Ohebshalom lost a motion to dismiss the arrest on Tuesday, court records show.
Ohebshalom will serve his 60-day sentence at Rikers Island and was being transported for intake there Thursday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said. Ohebshalom will serve his 60-day sentence at the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers Island, according to Department of Correction records.
His attorney did not respond to phone calls or emails seeking comment on his arrest.
The landlord can leave jail early if he corrects the alleged violations in the two buildings, Stoller said.
Ashley Viruet, an attorney with the nonprofit Legal Services NYC who is representing the tenants in the two complexes, located on West 170th Street, said the living conditions show why Ohebshalom was ranked first on the New York City public advocate’s most recent annual “worst landlords” list.
“The building is still in shambles,” Viruet said earlier this month. “Just dilapidated issues that have never been repaired in any lasting way.”
Tenant Loyda Irizarry, a retired teacher who has lived on the third floor of 709 West 170th St. for more than 25 years, shared photos of problems in the building, including collapsed ceilings and intruders who entered through unlocked doors.
“It’s been hell for the past four years,” she said.
The arrest isn’t the only legal problem Ohebshalom faces. A Queens judge ordered him and his associates to pay nearly $1.2 million in penalties for failing to correct alleged violations at an apartment building in Jamaica in a separate case earlier this month.
On Thursday, the judge gave him 14 days to correct the violations or face additional jail time.
This story was updated to include additional information.
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new york city
housing
manhattan
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David Brand
David is a reporter covering housing for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 908-310-3960.
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