NEW YORK (PIX11) -- New York City's "worst landlord" is headed for a 60-day stay on Rikers Island, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced on Thursday.
Daniel Ohebshalom, who runs multiple buildings with associate Jonathan Santana, has claimed the top spot on the New York City public advocate's “Worst Landlord Watchlist” for the past two years.
Ohebshalom will serve 60 days at Rikers for endangering tenant health and safety and neglecting two Washington Heights buildings that have racked up 700 open housing violations, according to officials. A warrant for Ohebshalom was issued on March 8, records show.
"Slumlords in New York City are officially on notice. Landlords in New York City will not get away with putting our families in unsafe, unhealthy, and downright unlivable conditions,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Today, justice is being served, and tenants are one step closer to getting the conditions that they not only need but deserve.”
Ohebshalom is headed to jail because he failed to comply with a civil contempt ruling by the New York City Housing Court in February 2023. He will now serve up to 60 days in jail at Rikers unless he corrects the violations at 705 and 709 170th St. in Manhattan, officials said.
Over the past year, Housing Preservation and Development has brought more than 10 motions for contempt and civil penalties for failing to comply with court orders to correct housing code violations at seven other Ohebshalom buildings.
Violations on his buildings include visible peeling lead paint, roach and mice infestations, inadequate electricity supply and mold.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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