NEW YORK — A New York City councilman plans to introduce a bill to close the “Kushner loophole” that fails to check up on landlords if they file false documents with the city. Councilman Ritchie Torres says his bill would require the city’s buildings department to check with tax records to validate such claims. “We refuse to stand by idly while real estate companies like the Kushner Cos. play Russian roulette with the safety of the residents and the affordability of rent,” Torres said. The city fined the Kushner Cos. $210,000 last month for 42 of the false filings. The bill would also require the buildings department to alert the city council, a state tenant protection unit and the city investigations agency of any false applications.

Source: National Post September 23, 2018 15:00 UTC