Man Charged with Fraud for Claiming to Own Iconic Hotel Found Unfit to Stand Trial
What to Know
- Mickey Barreto, a man who had been living rent-free in the New York City hotel, was charged with fraud and contempt
- Prosecutors claim he forged a deed to the hotel and tried to charge one of the hotel’s tenants rent and demand the hotel’s bank transfer its accounts to him
- Barreto had been living at the hotel since 2018, after a judge ruled he had tenant’s rights due to a quirk in the city’s housing laws
A man who succeeded in using a New York City housing law to live rent-free in an iconic hotel has been found unfit to stand trial for fraud. Mickey Barreto, 35, was charged with 24 counts, including felony fraud and criminal contempt, in February.
Doctors Deem Him Unfit to Stand Trial
Doctors examining Barreto deemed him mentally incompetent to face the criminal charges, and prosecutors confirmed the results during a court hearing on Wednesday. Judge Cori Weston gave Barreto until November 13 to find suitable inpatient psychiatric care.
Barreto Dismisses Allegations of Drug Problem
Barreto has been receiving outpatient treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues, but doctors concluded after a recent evaluation that he did not fully understand the criminal proceedings. Barreto dismissed the allegations of a drug problem, saying that prosecutors are trying to have him hospitalized because they did not have a strong case against him.
Barreto Sees Upside to Being Found Unfit to Stand Trial
"I went from being unfriendly, ‘He’s a criminal,’ to oh, they don’t talk about crime anymore. Now the main thing is, like, ‘Oh, poor thing. Finally, we convinced him to go seek treatment,’" Barreto told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Lawyer for Barreto Plans to Ask for Treatment Provider to Accept Him
Barreto’s attorney, Brian Hutchinson, did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment, but during Wednesday’s hearing, he said he planned to ask his client’s current treatment provider to accept him.
Background on the Case
Barreto started living at the hotel in 2018 after arguing in court that he had paid $200 for a one-night stay and therefore had tenant’s rights, based on a quirk in the city’s housing laws and the fact that the hotel failed to send a lawyer to a key hearing. He has said that he lived at the hotel without paying rent because the building’s owners, the Unification Church, never wanted to negotiate a lease with him, but they also couldn’t legally kick him out.
Conclusion
Barreto’s case has raised questions about the use of New York City’s housing laws and the consequences of fraudulent behavior. While his journey has been marked by controversy, his story has also highlighted the complexities of the city’s housing market and the need for more effective solutions.
FAQs
Q: What is the New Yorker Hotel?
A: The New Yorker Hotel is an iconic Art Deco structure in midtown Manhattan that has been in operation since 1930.
Q: What is Mickey Barreto’s claim to ownership of the hotel?
A: Barreto claims that he owns the hotel through a deed that he forged, which was accepted by a judge in 2018.
Q: What are the charges against Barreto?
A: Barreto is charged with 24 counts, including felony fraud and criminal contempt.
Q: What is the current status of Barreto’s case?
A: Barreto has been found unfit to stand trial, and he has been given until November 13 to find suitable inpatient psychiatric care.
