Owner Sues to Have ‘Worst Landlords List’ Removed

A building owner failed to convince a Manhattan judge to remove the city’s list of “100 Worst Landlords” from the NYC.gov website. The list has the owner at No. 34.

The owner, who had accumulated 565 violations at seven buildings, argued that he shouldn’t be on the list because his two structures with the most infractions are vacant. The judge said a violation in a vacant building doesn’t make it less of a violation, citing the still-present potential hazards to first-responders and squatters.

The judge is still reviewing his overall case against Public Advocate Letitia James, whose office compiles the list. His suit includes a $15 million defamation claim.