NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a new city office to combat deed theft as a Brooklyn eviction dispute drew attention to how complicated, and contested, property ownership can become.
Peter White, an attorney who has represented homeowners facing foreclosure and fraud, will lead efforts to identify suspicious filings, support residents and coordinate with law enforcement.
Thousands of complaints have been filed over the past decade, many in Brooklyn and Queens, according to city data.
“Deed theft is rampant in New York City,” Christine Clarke, chair and commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, said. “We have long known that deed thieves specifically target Black neighborhoods.”
The announcement comes days after police arrested City Council Member Chi Ossé during an attempted eviction at a Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone.
Officers took Ossé into custody as he tried to block marshals from removing Carmella Charrington, who has fought for years to keep the home her family says they have owned for decades.
“I did not attack an officer. I was manhandled… my face is sore, and I do feel a little loopy,” Ossé said after his release.
Authorities said the eviction followed court rulings tied to a long-running ownership dispute.
A spokesperson for the property’s current owner, 227 Group LLC, said the home was legally purchased in 2024 through a transaction authorized by a probate court in Georgia and upheld by New York courts.
Deed theft typically involves fraudulent transfers of property ownership: sometimes using forged signatures, false documents or manipulation of vulnerable homeowners.
Legal experts say some disputes involve overlapping issues such as conservatorships, estate law and competing claims from heirs.
In this case, supporters of the family have raised concerns about the role of a court-appointed conservator overseeing Charrington’s father, whose estate was tied to the property. They argue that decisions made under that arrangement contributed to the sale.
The property owner disputes those claims and points to court rulings supporting the transaction.
Experts note that property transfers that bypass probate are not inherently improper and are often part of standard estate planning. In New York, a partial owner can also seek a court-ordered sale through a legal process known as partition.
That means even valid ownership claims can lead to forced sales when parties disagree.
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams said the new office aims to help homeowners navigate those complexities.
“It’s important now that we provide homeowners with the resources and information needed to combat deed theft,” he said.
Attorney General Letitia James said recent laws have expanded tools to investigate and prosecute fraud.
“This is a critical step forward in our efforts to end deed theft and keep New Yorkers in their homes,” she said.
What is deed theft?
It’s when someone steals ownership of a home by changing the official paperwork, sometimes with fake documents or by taking advantage of legal loopholes.
How can it happen?
Why is it hard to prove?
Because the paperwork can look real. Courts often rely on documents, even if families say they were tricked or misled.
What is probate — and why does it matter?
Probate is the court process for handling someone’s estate after they die.
Skipping probate is normal, but disputes can still happen.
What is a “partition sale”?
If multiple people own a property, even one owner can ask a court to force a sale. This can happen even if others want to keep the home.
Why are these cases so complicated?
They often involve:
What is the City doing about it?
The Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention will operate within the Department of Finance and work with agencies including the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
Officials said the office will:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
New York City, NY Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.