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Landlords arrested for allegedly forcing out tenants

A pair of Brooklyn brothers accused of forcing long-term rent-stabilized tenants out of their apartments was arrested and arraigned today. District Attorney Ken Thompson says that brothers Joel and

News 12 Staff

Apr 17, 2015, 2:42 AM

Updated 3,520 days ago

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A pair of Brooklyn brothers accused of forcing long-term rent-stabilized tenants out of their apartments was arrested and arraigned today.
District Attorney Ken Thompson says that brothers Joel and Aaron Israel destroyed their tenants' apartments and made them unlivable, forcing the tenants out of their rent-stabilized homes.
Thompson says that the two landlords destroyed the apartments so that they could put them on the market at much higher rates. He says that the tenants in the Israels' building on Linden Street were living in horrible conditions.
"Our landlord destroyed our kitchen and bathroom," said tenant Michelle Crespo. "For 18 months, we had to use other people's bathrooms, including public facilities as well."
Both men pleaded not guilty in court.
The judge ordered a $50,000 cash bail for Joel Israel and a $25,000 cash bail for Aaron Israel. They are due back in court on June 18.