![]() ![]() The District Attorney identified the defendants as Leonid Dakhe, 64, Tatyana Langman, 71, and Sabina Berkovich, 40, all of Coney Island, Brooklyn. I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for its partnership and vigilance on this matter.” But working with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and our federal and City partners, we are holding accountable those individuals whose alleged actions manipulated the process and we are actively working to remedy the vulnerabilities we uncovered. This corrupt scheme undermined fair access to affordable housing in Brooklyn. ![]() Their alleged actions deprived honest, law-abiding home seekers a chance to obtain affordable housing, so we will now seek to bring these defendants to justice for their respective roles in this alleged corrupt scheme.”Ĭommissioner Garnett said, “These defendants sought an unfair advantage for themselves by making false statements and submitting fabricated documents to government officials at the City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, according to the charges. ![]() Highly Desirable and Affordable Mitchell-Lama Apartments Part of Continuing Investigation that Led to Charges AgainstĬo-op Board of Directors President and Treasurer, and Co-op Office Managerīrooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett, today announced that three Luna Park Housing tenants have been arrested on charges of criminal possession of a forged instrument, offering a false instrument for filing and falsifying business records to illegally obtain, or help another person obtain, apartments in the Mitchell-Lama complex in Coney Island.ĭistrict Attorney Gonzalez said, “A system that was put into place to ensure fair and equitable access to affordable housing was corrupted and we allege that these defendants took advantage of a scheme to illegally purchase or help others purchase apartments to which they were not entitled. Submitting Forged Documents for Illegal Purchase of He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 11, 2020.Three Luna Park Housing Corporation Tenants Arrested for Sokolovski, was charged with five counts each of third-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree grand larceny, and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. The defendant never delivered on his alleged promises for help with the apartments and refused to return the payments. One victim gave him $25,000, while the other gave him $4,000. After receiving the initial $45,000, he requested additional cash payments from two of the victims for other apartments. All three individuals were interested in buying apartments in the complex, and Sokolovski allegedly presented himself as someone with access to management.įurthermore, Sokolovski allegedly told each victim to pay him $15,000 in cash to help them avoid the waiting list and that the apartments would become available within six months to a year. The victim then introduced two friends to the defendant. Securing an apartment typically involves a lengthy waiting period. Mitchell-Lama developments are state-regulated complexes of affordable cooperative apartments. "We will not allow opportunists and scammers to corrupt the process by which eligible prospective tenants gain access to reasonably priced housing."Īccording to the investigation, between October 2015 and March 2016, the defendant, who lives in the Amalgamated Warbasse Houses located at 2790 West 5th Street in Coney Island, a Mitchell-Lama property, was introduced to the first victim through a mutual friend. "This defendant allegedly exploited the frustrations shared by many Brooklyn residents hoping to find affordable housing, despite a booming real estate market," said Gonzalez. Kim Greenberg, of Coney Island, had no ties to Mitchell-Lama management and did not deliver on his promises to help secure the apartments. The alleged thief, Akim Sokolovski, 63, a.k.a. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today on Tuesday announced that a Brooklyn man was arrested and arraigned on on grand larceny charges, after he allegedly received $74,000 in cash payments from three women who wanted to buy Mitchell-Lama apartments in Coney Island. ![]()
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