Arrest In Scheme To Rent Out County-Foreclosed Property

A New Square resident has been arrested after an investigation into an alleged scheme to sneak tenants into a county-owned property and collect rent. Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco announced the arrest of Elazer Dancziger on Tuesday.

The county has already filed a lawsuit against Dancziger and Joseph Greenbaum, the owner of 749 Main St. in New Hempstead.

In the suit they were accused of illegally occupying and renting the property, which was foreclosed by the county after they failed to pay taxes on the property since 2012. The total owed in back taxes: $54,000.

The County of Rockland took ownership of 747 Main on Sept. 18, 2017.

After the county assisted the original tenants to leave, officials allege that Dancziger continued to represent himself as the property manager and had new tenants pay him rent.

Records also show that Dancziger runs medical transport businesses Yad Ezrah Inc. and Medway from the address, county officials said.

He faces three felony charges and one misdemeanor charge:

• Grand Larceny 3 rd Degree (1 count)
• Grand Larceny 4 th Degree (2 counts)
• Scheme to Defraud 2 nd Degree (1 count)

The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.

Dancziger, 61, was arraigned before Judge Schoenberger of the Town of Ramapo Justice Court and sent to county jail on $15,000 bail. He is due back in court Feb. 5.

“I want to thank the Rockland County Sheriff and his investigators for their prompt and comprehensive investigation that resulted in the arrest of someone who I can only describe as truly the slime of the earth. As a former law enforcement professional, I have nothing but disdain for criminals and to see justice served for those who were taken advantage of is extremely heartening,” said County Executive Ed Day.

SEE ALSO: Rockland County Files Lawsuit Against Phony Landlords

PHOTO/ Rockland County Executive's Office