Brooklyn property owner alleges decade-long real estate racketeering scheme


Judge Joan M. Azrack of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York | US Senate Judiciary Committee (Wikipedia Commons)

A Brooklyn man has filed a lawsuit alleging that a group of individuals and entities engaged in a long-running scheme to unlawfully seize his Brooklyn property. The complaint names David Stern and multiple other defendants, including attorneys and corporate entities, in connection with the alleged conduct.

Javier alleges that the defendants carried out a coordinated effort to take control of his property at 968A Myrtle Avenue through fraudulent deeds, manufactured tax lien defaults, and misuse of court processes. The complaint asserts that these actions involved shell corporations and individuals previously linked to deed fraud.

The lawsuit references prior litigation in Kings County Supreme Court in which Justice Gina Levy Abadi voided deeds associated with the disputed property under Index No. 8568/2015. According to the complaint, the court found that certain defendants, including Michael Herskowitz and Nissim Vaknin, were involved in organized deed-related fraud schemes similar to those alleged by Javier.

Javier further alleges that after adverse court rulings, the defendants redirected his mail to prevent delivery of tax notices and facilitated a tax lien default that resulted in a loss of his property interest. The complaint characterizes these actions as fraudulent conveyances and alleges violations of the federal civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and constitutional claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

The lawsuit seeks treble damages, declaratory relief, and a permanent injunction barring the defendants from further transferring or encumbering the property. Javier also seeks damages related to alleged abuse of process and malicious prosecution.

The plaintiff is representing himself in this matter. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under 1:25-cv-06646-JAM.

Organizations Included in this History


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