The city's “worst landlord” will pay historic $6.5 million in fines and restitution to tenants for numerous housing violations, including conditions that left 130 young children with lead poisoning Agreed.
Lilmor Management and its owner, Morris Lieberman, are in agreement with state and federal governments to violate housing laws related to lead, mold, and maintenance regulations in more than 2,500 rent-stabilized apartment complexes across the United States. admitted to openly deceiving tenants regarding the terms and conditions. The portfolio includes 49 buildings.
“Lilmore Management rents out apartments in dangerous conditions to unsuspecting tenants, putting thousands of people at risk,” state Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.
“The occupants of the Lilmore building, including children, were forced to live with leaks, mold, infestation, and high levels of lead. Morris Lieberman harmed the occupants and their families. The era is over.”
Damian Williams, the soon-to-be-retired U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, hailed the settlement as “the most extensive relief ever achieved in a case of this type.”
Mr. Liberman, Mr. Lilmore, and one of their agents, Jason Cohn, have long been at the top of the city's public assistance group's list of “worst landlords,” and their entire property Has committed over 30,000 housing violations. One Brooklyn property, the Ocean Avenue building alone, has had more than 5,000 violations since 2012.
Among the problems at the property were chronic water leaks, mold, lead paint, heat and pest infestation, the AG's office said, citing “extremely poor conditions” and lead levels found at the property. It launched an investigation into Lilmore in 2021 following complaints from residents and activists. children of residents.
Since 2012, more than 130 children living in the Lilmore building have tested positive for elevated blood lead levels, officials said.
Since 201, the city Housing Authority has issued nearly 1,000 violations for lead-based paint hazards, more than 1,450 violations for mold, nearly 1,500 violations for leaks, and more violations for rodent and cockroach problems. A total of 2,331 cases of intrusion were detected.
Court documents allege that Lieberman appeared indifferent to the plight of his tenants in response to an email complaining that 30 units lacked heat.
“And?” Mr. Lieberman wrote in response:
Lilmore Management did not respond to The Post's request for comment Friday.
In addition to other major repairs, the agreement involves the filing of a consent decree forcing the landowner to discover and abate all lead-based paint violations across Lilmore's portfolio. Ta.
“The consent decree we filed today is [accepted] The court has ordered defendants to make 2,500 apartments safe and sanitary and pay $6.5 million, including nearly $3 million in restitution to affected tenants, among other actions. It will provide the most extensive relief ever achieved,” Williams said. statement.
That work will be overseen by an independent housing expert chosen by federal and state officials, according to court filings.
