Clarkstown officials look to take more legal action against landlords accused of property violations
The state supreme court filings are against Simcha Schwartz from Brooklyn, "First Choice Management NY" and Wilson Bermeo.
Clarkstown is pursuing more legal action against landlords with alleged property violations.
"This will not be tolerated in Clarkstown,” said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann during a press conference at town hall on Friday. "We're going to seek every avenue possible to punish these violators."
The state supreme court filings are against Simcha Schwartz from Brooklyn, "First Choice Management NY" and Wilson Bermeo.
Court Filings
Schwartz is said to have 10 homes within the town and Bermeo owns seven.
Officials say both own more property in other parts of the county.
Supervisor Hoehmann stated, "Each of Mr. Bermeo's properties issued violations housed over 20 people.”
Photos shown during the press conference from inside some of the homes showed overcrowded conditions and safety issues.
The town is seeking access to inspect all other homes owned by both landlords and seek fines for the violations already found.
Officials said on Friday that inspectors found many of the people living inside were new to this country.
"We cannot have people profiteering off migrants and recent arrivals to this country. This is wholly unacceptable," Hoehmann said.
Other elected officials echoed that same sentiment along with the border policies hitting suburbia.
"Here we are today - and we're seeing it front and center- face up - it's here,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day.
"If you take advantage of this situation to make a buck - we're going to make you pay,” said Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.
News 12 attempted to reach out to all parties for comment but had not heard back as of Friday evening.
