Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. has indicted Jerry Genesis, 35, in connection to a rental scam that duped at least eight hopeful tenants out of more than $100,000. According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Genesis faces three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, with an additional charge of Bail Jumping in the Second Degree. Genesis allegedly misrepresented his ability to sublease apartments across various New York neighborhoods from November 19, 2024, to July 31.
Victims collectively handed over move-in costs ranging from $8,100 to $17,200, trusting they would have a place to call home shortly. However, the reality was far grimmer, as "one of the victims had already started moving into the apartment before he realized it was a scam, leaving him without a home," in a statement obtained by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. While Genesis arranged viewings and signed sublease agreements, at least two victims never got keys, and already burdened with belongings, one found an eviction notice instead of a welcome mat.
The indictment suggests that Genesis facilitated these faux subleases by renting the apartments himself, using falsified employment and income information. He then failed to pay rent on these same apartments, lacking any real authority or permission to sublet them. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, under the watchful eye of their Housing & Tenant Protection Unit, has made it their mission to funnel efforts towards systemic criminal harassment of tenants and developers taking advantage of government programs. This unit, stemmed from harassment of rent-regulated tenants and deed fraud to landlords defrauding government subsidy programs.
Earlier efforts by this unit have led to similar indictments, including a man who purportedly stole identity, a luxury apartment seeker, to forge documents and sublet the premises under false pretenses. Additionally, a narrative unfolds of a man allegedly taking approximately $20,000 from interested parties for a non-existent Hell's Kitchen apartment in August. These actions all weave a thread of deceit and theft, highlighting the need for such a unit dedicated to protecting tenant rights and ensuring justice.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office encourages anyone who suspects they might be a victim of a rental scam, or any related real estate fraud, to come forward and reach out for help. Reports can be made through a helpline at 212-335-3300 or via email at [email protected].
