Christopher Milito Quoted in The Real Deal on Soho Rental Scam Lawsuit

Partner Christopher Milito was quoted in an article entitled “Con-Job Disaster: Tal Alexander, Official Sued Over Soho Penthouse Rental” in The Real Deal. The article detailed a lawsuit filed by Morrison Cohen on behalf of the owners of a luxury penthouse at 54 Thompson Street. The suit was filed against broker Tal Alexander, his firm Official Partners, and a former agent, accusing them of knowingly using a forged bank statement in their client’s rental application.

The article quotes Morrison Cohen’s complaint, filed in the New York County Supreme Court, which describes the lease as “a con-job disaster.” Chris Milito, who filed the complaint, told The Real Deal, “Our client was shocked to discover that the then-respected Official Partners had conspired against its own client to gain a commission. Our client was defrauded and damaged by this group of unprincipled individuals.”

The plaintiff claims the defendants “lied, falsified bank documents, and covered up their bad acts” to present entrepreneur Daniel Fine as a reliable renter. However, once the lease began, Fine allegedly failed to meet the $45,000 monthly rent, accumulating a six-figure balance. The complaint accuses Fine of renting the apartment for parties and subletting it. “It does not appear that Fine ever resided in the apartment himself, as was the understanding,” it states. “Instead, FineCo and Fine have used the apartment to generate income for themselves without paying Plaintiff its justly-due rent.”

The owners claim they raised concerns about Fine’s credit score and businesses, but allege the brokers pressured them to focus on Fine’s $4 million bank statement, which they now claim was forged. The lawsuit seeks over $500,000 in damages.

The owners of 54 Thompson Street are represented by Morrison Cohen Chair & Co-Managing Partner Y. David Scharf and Partner Christopher Milito.

Read The Real Deal article here.