Bed-Stuy, Look Out For Property Scammers: Local Politicians

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Be on the hunt for criminals looking to steal your property, several local Bed-Stuy politicians warned Thursday. A handful of local politicians stood in front of a neighborhood community center that was stolen from its owners just last week through deed theft and held a press conference to raise awareness about the prevalence of the crime in the neighborhood.

City Councilmember Rob Cornegy held Thursday's press conference along with Judge Betty Staton, president of Brooklyn Legal Services; L. Joy Williams, president of the Brooklyn chapter of the NAACP; Michael Lambert, president of the Bedford Stuyvesant Gateway BID; and representatives from the Brooklyn D.A.’s office and the office of Bed-Stuy's Assemblywoman Annette Robinson.

The owners of 1424 Fulton St, a long-time Bed-Stuy community center, found out they were victims of deed theft last week when they were notified by the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) within 24 hours of their illegal transaction, they said at the press conference.

A group of criminals had broken into their building through the skylight and vandalized it, the building's co-owners, Gloria Sandiford and Richard Flateau, said. The criminals forged documents, got a lawyer, and changed the locks on the front door and mailbox of the building to conduct illegal business there, the BKReader reported.

The criminals were so sneaky that they forged documents on the Thursday before Veterans day, when all city offices were closed, the co-owners said.

Councilmember Cornegy warned residents that deed theft was flowing into the neighborhood more than ever because property values are quickly inflating, and criminals want to cash in on it.

"This is one of the very negative aspects of the 'G-word;' it's a byproduct of gentrification," Cornegy said.

Cornegy emphasized not to be ashamed if you find out you've been a victim of a property scam.

"We want to tell people there is no embarrassment, no shame, you do not have to suffer in silence," Cornegy said. "Call one of our offices and report this if it has happened to you. This is a crime, and these criminals will be prosecuted."

All of the elected officials in attendance hammered home the message that Bed-Stuy would not take deed theft lightly, and criminals will be prosecuted. The Brooklyn District Attorney's office is now investigating the fraud, the Fulton Street building's co-owners said.

Flateau recommended to Bed-Stuy residents to be "very watchful." He urged Bed-Stuy locals to register their homes and properties with ACRIS, a city online database, to receive notifications if any changes happen to the properties.

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