TRIAL CONTINUES FOR EDUARDO JUAREZ, SLUMLORD WHOSE FRAUDULENT IMMIGRANT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS WERE JUST SHUT DOWN BY AG SCHNEIDERMAN
Juarez, Previously Investigated by Former AG Cuomo for Robbing Immigrants of the American Dream through Fraud, Continues Trial for keeping 3 Washington Heights apartment buildings without Gas and Electricity for almost 3 weeks.
New York, NY-Tomorrow, June 12, 11:00am, on 111 Center St. at the Housing Court on the 11th Floor, the court case against slumlord, Eduardo Juarez, will continue as a handful of Washington Heights tenants were left without electricity, heat, and hot water for almost three weeks in an effort to force the residents out. Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez will continue his support of these residents who seek justice for the violations of their rights as tenants.
Mr. Juarez has a history of foul play, as an investigation was launched against him by then New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in 2010, the result of which was announced last week. The International Immigrants Foundation Inc., and the International Professional Association Inc., both headed by Juarez, defrauded clients by charging exorbitant fees for their immigration services, making false promises of providing residency and citizenship, and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Sitting Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced last week that Juarez must now pay $2 to $3 million dollars to his former clients as restitution for the expansive fraud scheme, in addition to shuttering the two organizations. See story here: http://legalnewsline.com/news/241974-n-y-ag-announces-agreement-to-shut-down-allegedly-fraudulent-immigration-services-organizations.
But Juarez's attacks on immigrants clearly did not stop there. His buildings, many populated by Latin American immigrants, have numerous outstanding violations as listed by the Department of Housing Prevention and Development. Tenants in the buildings have been living in a state of perpetual distress due to their landlord's negligence. Residents believe the motivation for these actions was an effort to raise rents, as buildings with occupied apartments are not allowed to institute rent increases. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development has been covering the costs to create a better living situation for the buildings' residents, which has included paying the electric bills and beginning repairs to address the safety violations. However, residents are looking for justice and a long-term solution to the terrible situation. Info on this can be found here: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130223/washington-heights/washington-heights-residents-without-power-after-landlord-stops-paying-bill.
"Last week's announcement by Attorney General Schneiderman is a step in the right direction in providing restitution to the thousands of immigrants unfortunate enough to seek services from Mr. Juarez," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, "but there many more that remain in limbo. For the tenants of the buildings on West 183rd Street, this nightmare continues as they seek justice for the negligence they faced at the hands of Juarez. There is no place for slumlords in Northern Manhattan and we stand united to send a clear message that our residents will not stand for this, they will fight and they will win."
"We are hardworking people-many with families-living in a decaying building, all because Eduardo Juarez has seen fit to try and force us out," said Miriam Ribera, president of the 183rd Street Tenant Association. "But we have rights as tenants and we will stand united to ensure they are met. I thank Council Member Rodriguez for his support through this lengthy situation and we hope to see justice delivered as soon as possible."
"Attorney General Schneiderman's announcement sends a clear message that the unauthorized practice of immigration law will not be tolerated. We at Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights commend the Attorney General for his decisive action on this case. Now we hope to see justice for the tenants of the buildings on w. 183rd--many of whom are also immigrants who have suffered at Juarez's hands--so that they can live in peace with their rights upheld." said Angela Fernandez, Esq. Executive Director of Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights
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