Overview
- In a City & State op-ed, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called on the New York State Legislature to pass S8559 sponsored by Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assembly Member Micah Lasher.
- The bill would create a class D felony for aggravated harassment of rent-regulated tenants, covering systematic conduct across multiple properties and recidivist landlords previously convicted under the class E statute.
- Bragg pointed to recent cases by his office, including indictments of four rental scammers, alleged landlord harassment of rent-regulated tenants in Chelsea, and alleged deed fraud in Harlem.
- The DA argued that current penalties treat two tenants in one building the same as ten tenants across multiple properties, which undermines deterrence and accountability.
- The Housing and Tenant Protection Unit, established three years ago, will continue prosecutions and coordination on related crimes such as illegal conversions while the legislation is considered.