New York housing enforcement actions

In late July 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James continued the state’s crackdown on substandard housing and landlord misconduct. On July 20, her office secured a $400,000 settlement for tenants of the Kenney Apartments in Newburgh, ordering owners to repay rent, complete extensive repairs, and report ongoing violations. The same day James joined a lawsuit with Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens against the owners of Nob Hill Apartments after a fatal fire and hundreds of code citations, seeking remediation, rent abatements and restitution.

Four days later, James announced a settlement with Spigro Management, LLC concerning illegal lockouts in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The agreement required the company to pay $23,500 in civil penalties, reimburse four affected residents $1,000‑$1,200 each, adopt a written lockout policy, train staff, and remain under state oversight through July 2029. The investigation, begun in May 2025, had identified multiple unlawful‑eviction incidents affecting more than 40 buildings.

In a concurrent case, a New York judge barred Florida resident Jessica Vargas from managing a low‑income cooperative in Williamsburg after she forged documents, diverted $442,000 in rent payments, and attempted to sell the property without authority. The AG’s office secured an order for Vargas to surrender illegal profits and relinquish control.

These actions illustrate a broader, ongoing effort by the Attorney General’s office to enforce housing standards, combat illegal evictions, and obtain financial restitution from fraudulent landlords across the state.