New York City’s worst landlord has begun serving a two-month sentence in Rikers for refusing to correct more than 700 housing violations across two of his Manhattan properties. Daniel Ohebshalom turned himself in to authorities Thursday, two weeks after Housing Court Judge Jack Stoller issued a warrant for his arrest.
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New York City’s worst landlord has begun serving a two-month sentence in Rikers for refusing to correct more than 700 housing violations across two of his Manhattan properties. Daniel Ohebshalom turned himself in to authorities Thursday, two weeks after Housing Court Judge Jack Stoller issued a warrant for his arrest.
Judge Jack Storer
“The most compelling factor affecting the court’s discretion is the duration of the contempt proceedings,” Stoller said. in arrest warrant“As of February 2, 2023, more than 13 months before this article was written, the court found (Ohebshalom) in civil contempt of court.”
“The sheer number of existing dangerous and immediately dangerous offenses demonstrates the level of contempt on the part of the respondents,” he said.
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Investigation into Ohebshalom begins in 2021 when the department’s anti-nuisance unit discovered several serious violations at two of his properties, including the presence of lead-based paint, widespread mold, chronic rat infestation, leaking pipes and inadequate electricity.
Ohebshalom refused to make necessary repairs, resulting in more than 700 landlord violations. Two years later, HPD’s Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) completed emergency repairs to faulty pipes, mold and self-closing doors. AEP charged them $48,000 for the work.
Ohebshalom refused to pay, leading HPD in February 2023 to seek jail time and civil penalties totaling more than $3 million. By November 2023, Ohebshalom had received an additional $1.8 million in fines and fines, leading HPD to appoint an administrator to take control of the building and oversee several HPD-funded projects, including the installation of a new roof as well as new plumbing and Electrical System.
Ann Marie Santiago
“Landlords who continue to blatantly violate the law and allow deplorable conditions to persist will face the full range of tools available to HPD to enforce compliance with the law,” said Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services (ENS) Deputy Chief AnnMarie Santiago. “We are grateful that the Housing Court has taken action against our lawsuit. “We took action and ordered some of the most severe remedies available to the homeowner, including the appointment of a Class 7A judge and jail time.”
“HPD’s enforcement team is here to serve all New Yorkers who deserve safe, healthy and livable housing, and I urge tenants to know their rights and call 311 as the first step to improving their living conditions,” she added. Kudos to the entire enforcement team, and most recently the Anti-Harassment Unit attorneys, for holding landlords accountable with the ultimate goal of improving living conditions for tenants in multiple buildings across the city.”
Several New York City publications that broke the news Thursday said Oheb-Shalom and his attorney declined to comment on his prison sentence. Judge Storer said Oheb Shalom could be released early if he started carrying out repairs.
Meanwhile, tenants in one of his buildings are continuing a rent strike.
“I know the tenants feel like their voices are finally being heard,” Manhattan Legal Services Supervising Attorney Ashley Verut tells contain. “Finally someone sees all the pain.”
Email Marianne McPherson
