In an astonishing case of legal maneuvering and audacity, Mickey Barreto, a 48-year-old man from New York City, exploited an obscure housing law to live rent-free in the New Yorker Hotel, a landmark Manhattan hotel, for five years. This saga, which has unfolded over several years, took a dramatic turn when Barreto attempted to claim ownership of the entire hotel building, leading to his arrest and indictment on charges of fraud and criminal contempt.
Barreto’s journey into the legal limelight began when he and his boyfriend rented a room in the New Yorker Hotel, an Art Deco structure built in 1930. Discovering a loophole in a local housing law that allows occupants of single rooms in buildings constructed before 1969 to demand a six-month lease, Barreto claimed tenancy after paying for just one night’s stay. The hotel’s attempt to evict him led Barreto to the courts, where, through a series of legal battles, he eventually won “possession” of his room by default, due to the building owners’ legal team failing to appear at a crucial juncture.
Barreto lived in the hotel without paying rent until July 2023, exploiting the legal system’s acknowledgment of his possession of the room. However, his actions escalated in 2019 when he filed a fake deed, claiming to transfer the ownership of the entire New Yorker Hotel building to himself from its actual owners, the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, a church founded by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon in South Korea. This bold move included attempts to charge rent from another hotel tenant, registering the hotel under his name for water and sewage payments, and demanding the hotel’s bank transfer its accounts to him.
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Manhattan prosecutors, who have brought the charges against Barreto, argue that his claim to the building’s ownership was not just a step too far, but a criminal act. The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, highlighted the severity of Barreto’s fraudulent claims regarding one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The New Yorker Hotel, located a block from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, has been a significant part of New York City’s landscape. Not among the city’s most glamorous hotels, it nonetheless boasts a rich history, with notable residents like inventor Nikola Tesla and visits from celebrities like Muhammad Ali. The hotel’s significant red “New Yorker” sign marks it as a distinctive landmark.
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Barreto’s legal entanglements have not been limited to criminal charges; the Unification Church has also sued him over his claim to the deed. Despite a ruling that Barreto cannot portray himself as the building’s owner, the case remains ongoing. Barreto, who has represented himself in civil cases, claims his actions are a form of activism against the Unification Church, which he accuses of profiting unethically. He denies any intent or action of fraud, asserting he never made any money from his legal maneuvers.
This case raises questions about the exploitation of legal loopholes, the limits of tenancy rights, and the potential for fraud in the digital age. It also shines a light on the complexities of property law, tenant rights, and the challenges faced by both property owners and occupants in navigating the legal system. As this saga continues to unfold, it serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of exploiting legal loopholes and the intricate balance between tenant rights and property ownership.
