New York Lawyer Basic Letitia James
Photograph credit score: Workplace of Lawyer Basic Letitia James
Lawyer Basic Letitia James reminded New Yorkers {that a} new regulation establishing deed theft as against the law and increasing the Workplace of the Lawyer Basic’s (OAG) skill to prosecute deed theft has taken impact.
The laws, which was co-authored by James and sponsored by State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and Assemblymember Landon C. Dais, establishes deed theft as against the law, amends the statute of limitations to offer householders and prosecutors extra time to hunt justice, and grants OAG unique legal jurisdiction to prosecute deed theft.
That is James’ newest effort to guard New Yorkers from deed theft, a legal rip-off that robs New York households of their houses and livelihoods.
James stated deed theft happens when somebody takes the title, or deed, to a different individual’s residence with out the home-owner’s information or approval. She famous that it disproportionately impacts aged householders and householders of shade, particularly New Yorkers in gentrifying neighborhoods who stay in houses which have considerably elevated in worth through the years.
Final yr, James championed laws sponsored by State Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Helene Weinstein to reinforce civil deed theft protections by empowering the lawyer normal and native district attorneys to pause associated eviction and possession dispute proceedings and increase the record of crimes that enable prosecutors to invalidate fraudulent sale and mortgage paperwork, amongst different measures. That regulation went into impact in December 2023.
New Yorkers who consider they’re a sufferer of deed theft are inspired to contact OAG by calling 800-771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or submitting a confidential criticism.
“Deed theft is a cruel crime that robs New Yorkers of their houses, communities, and monetary stability,” stated Lawyer Basic James. “By making deed theft the crime we all know it to be, this regulation offers my workplace and district attorneys extra energy to cease these scammers from benefiting from hardworking individuals.
“When the Senate held our listening to on deed theft in 2022, we heard intimately simply how straightforward it’s for scammers to prey on unsuspecting householders, and the way tough it may be to acquire justice,” stated Myrie, who represents the 20th Senate District in Brooklyn. “Communities like mine in Central Brooklyn are notably susceptible. I’m grateful for Lawyer Basic James’ partnership in strengthening our legal guidelines to prosecute deed theft and defend New Yorkers’ houses.”
“When elected to the 77th Meeting District, I promised I’ll do my finest to guard the residents of my district. My promise was a primary motivation in sponsoring the Deed Theft Invoice with State Senator Myrie and Lawyer Basic James,” stated Assemblymember Dais. “This landmark invoice will defend the householders in my district and throughout the good state of New York from con artists which are particularly focusing on the seniors that personal houses.
Below earlier regulation in New York state, deed theft itself was not against the law. This regulation amends penal regulation to make deed theft a type of grand larceny, extends the statute of limitations to permit for extra time to establish and examine circumstances, and grants OAG the unique legal jurisdiction to prosecute deed theft crimes alongside district attorneys statewide.
The lawyer normal stated these new legal provisions will enhance enforcement alternatives and assist preserve New Yorkers of their houses.
That is the most recent motion James has taken to fight deed theft. In July 2024, Lawyer Basic James introduced the conviction and sentencing of Marcus Wilcher, the chief of a Queens deed theft ring that offered three houses with out the information of the rightful property house owners and pocketed over $1 million.
In June 2023, James applauded the passage of her laws, cosponsored by State Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, which reformed New York’s civil legal guidelines to offer extra instruments to forestall deed theft.
In July 2023, Lawyer Basic James introduced the indictment of a Lengthy Island man for deed theft for allegedly stealing two houses in Harlem, which had a mixed estimated worth of greater than $4.7 million through the related instances of possession.
In February 2021, James introduced an $800,000 grant, funded by Workplace of the Lawyer Basic (OAG) settlements, to the New York Metropolis Division of Housing Preservation and Improvement and the Middle for New York Metropolis Neighborhoods as a part of a program geared toward growing consciousness of deed theft in susceptible neighborhoods.
In January 2020, Lawyer Basic James launched the Defend Our Properties initiative and introduced the formation of an interagency regulation enforcement job pressure to answer Deed Theft and different actual property fraud.
The House owner Safety Program, a community of housing counselors and authorized companies suppliers all through New York supported by OAG, affords free housing counseling and authorized help statewide. Owners can contact HOPP on-line or name 1 (855) 466-3456 to get assist.
