New York sources reported that the real estate developer routinely filed false paperwork claiming it had zero rent-regulated tenants in its buildings across the city. Accordingly the Department of Buildings is investigating possible “illegal activity” involving applications that sought permission to begin construction work at 13 of the developer’s buildings, according to public records maintained by the regulator.
According to the report the false filings were made while Kushner Cos was run by Jared Kushner, now senior adviser to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump. Moreover the false filings were all signed by a Kushner employee, sometimes by its chief operating officer. Further the false documents allowed the Kushner Cos to escape extra scrutiny during construction at 34 of its buildings, many of which showed a sharp decline in rent-regulated units following the work.
Moreover the Housing Rights Initiative, a watchdog group that uncovered
the false filings, says that made it easier for the Kushner Cos to harass the
low paying, rent regulated tenants so they would leave, freeing up apartments
for higher paying tenants. At least 10 of the 29 applications under
investigation were filed by prior owners and earlier on Monday, the city
council launched a joint investigation with Housing Rights Initiative into the
false filings.
