New York Man Faces Charges After Falsely Claiming Hotel Ownership

Mickey Barreto exploited a housing law loophole to live rent-free in the New Yorker Hotel for five years before claiming ownership and facing criminal charges.

• Mickey Barreto, a New York City man, lived rent-free in the New Yorker Hotel for five years by exploiting a local housing law loophole.
• Barreto was arrested and charged with filing false property records after claiming ownership of the entire New Yorker Hotel building.
• Prosecutors allege Barreto attempted to assert control over the hotel, including demanding rent from tenants and trying to transfer the hotel's bank accounts to his name.
• The legal saga began when Barreto and his boyfriend rented a room in the hotel in 2018 and discovered a loophole allowing them to request a six-month lease.
• Barreto's actions have led to multiple charges, including 14 counts of offering a false instrument for filing and 10 counts of criminal contempt.

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