Chaos erupts in court as long-awaited deed theft sentencing delayed
Lawyers said the sentencing was postponed because he was unable to meet with probation officials during the Jewish holidays.
A tense courtroom standoff broke out Wednesday after the scheduled sentencing of a disbarred Brooklyn lawyer convicted of stealing homes was postponed, leaving victims angry as some still facing the threat of eviction.
Sanford Solny, 68, was convicted in June of operating a fraudulent real estate scheme that prosecutors say took 11 properties from mostly Black and brown homeowners in foreclosure.
Lawyers said the sentencing was postponed because he was unable to meet with probation officials during the Jewish holidays.
Dozens of Solny’s supporters showed up at the Brooklyn courthouse, where several victims had also gone expecting the hearing.
Outside the courtroom, victims and advocates said the delay was another setback in a case they said has dragged on for over a decade.
Inside the courtroom the judge allowed a victim, Lisa Abbott, who traveled from out of state to read an impact statement.
"He took away my property, he took away my choice,” Abbott said. "Mr. Solny harmed me and left me with a short end of the stick. No home, unaffordable mortgage and obliviated credit."
James Kousouros, Solny’s criminal defense attorney, said he respects the court’s decision. “This court found him guilty of making a false representation. Punishment will ensue for that,” Kousouros said.
But he added that it is wrong to portray all of the people affected in this case as “hapless, unknowing and unintelligent individuals,” claiming that many of them aren’t telling the full story.
Victims and advocates said the delays in the case have had long- lasting consequences.
The new sentencing date is Nov, 12. Other victims were promised the chance to address Solny and the judge directly and describe how the case has affected them.
