Court Restores Property to Elderly Victims of Deed Theft Scheme
News
January 9, 2025
Partner Andrew Lichtman and Associate Florian Fuhrimann, in partnership with the City Bar Justice Center’s Homeowner Stability Project (HSP), secured the return of property to elderly clients with disabilities in a deed theft case in Queens, New York. The case centers on the fraudulent transfer of a property from rightful owners to a shell company —without the clients’ knowledge or consent.
Deed theft, a growing concern in New York City, has become particularly damaging for vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with disabilities. The clients, co-heirs and co-executors of the estate, were unaware that impostors had forged their signatures on a deed to "sell" the property. The situation was further complicated when the fraudulent deed was recorded in the City’s property register.
Andrew and Florian worked closely with the District Attorney’s office, which successfully prosecuted the fraudsters. In December 2024, the court granted the DA’s motion to void the fraudulent deed, restoring the property to its rightful owners.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
January 9, 2025
Partner Andrew Lichtman and Associate Florian Fuhrimann, in partnership with the City Bar Justice Center’s Homeowner Stability Project (HSP), secured the return of property to elderly clients with disabilities in a deed theft case in Queens, New York. The case centers on the fraudulent transfer of a property from rightful owners to a shell company —without the clients’ knowledge or consent.
Deed theft, a growing concern in New York City, has become particularly damaging for vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with disabilities. The clients, co-heirs and co-executors of the estate, were unaware that impostors had forged their signatures on a deed to "sell" the property. The situation was further complicated when the fraudulent deed was recorded in the City’s property register.
Andrew and Florian worked closely with the District Attorney’s office, which successfully prosecuted the fraudsters. In December 2024, the court granted the DA’s motion to void the fraudulent deed, restoring the property to its rightful owners.
Related Lawyers
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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