Brooklyn slumlord who wrongfully evicted tenants can’t avoid jail time
A Brooklyn real estate developer previously convicted of subjecting tenants to harsh conditions to push them out of rent-controlled apartments was cuffed at Brooklyn Supreme Court on Thursday to serve 20 days in jail.
Daniel Melamed paid $200,000 forfeiture to secure 20 days in jail instead of 30, but when his attorney offered to pay $250,000 to dodge time all together, the judge denied.
“The court declined that request,” Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun said. “Even 30 days, the sentence is more imposed as symbolic.”