New Yorker Hotel Takeover Artist Pleads Guilty to Fraud

Mickey Barreto will serve 5 years probation after serving 6-month prison sentence.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Mickey Barreto, a man who once claimed to own the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan, has pleaded guilty to a fraud charge. Barreto had forged property records in an attempt to take ownership of the hotel, going so far as to demand rent from tenants and try to access the hotel's bank accounts. He was eventually evicted from the hotel in 2024 and deemed unfit to stand trial, mandated to undergo psychiatric treatment. Barreto's guilty plea includes a six-month prison sentence, which he has already served, as well as five years of probation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the lengths some individuals will go to in order to unlawfully obtain property, as well as the challenges hotels and property owners face in dealing with such fraudulent takeover attempts. It also raises questions about mental health issues and their role in criminal behavior.

The details

In June 2018, Barreto booked a room at the New Yorker Hotel for one night before asking the hotel for a lease of the room the following day, in accordance with an obscure part of New York's rent stabilization law. The hotel denied his request, but Barreto filed a case in housing court for wrongful eviction and was granted possession of a single room. In May 2019, Barreto then uploaded fake documents into the city's property records, including a deed transferring the hotel's ownership to himself. He allegedly started demanding rent from tenants and tried accessing the hotel's bank accounts, going so far as to demand the hotel's owner, the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, leave and contact the hotel's franchise holder, Wyndham, about transferring the franchise to him.

  • In June 2018, Barreto booked a room at the New Yorker Hotel for one night.
  • In May 2019, Barreto uploaded fake documents into the city's property records.
  • Two years ago, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office charged Barreto with 14 counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and 10 counts of criminal contempt in the second degree.
  • Barreto was evicted from the hotel in 2024 and later deemed unfit to stand trial, mandated to undergo psychiatric treatment.
  • Last week, Barreto pleaded guilty to a fraud charge.

The players

Mickey Barreto

A man who once claimed to own the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan and was convicted of fraud for forging property records in an attempt to take ownership of the hotel.

Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity

The actual owner of the New Yorker Hotel, which Barreto falsely claimed to own.

Wyndham

The franchise holder for the New Yorker Hotel, which Barreto allegedly tried to contact about transferring the franchise to himself.

Alvin Bragg

The Manhattan District Attorney who charged Barreto with 14 counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and 10 counts of criminal contempt in the second degree.

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What’s next

Barreto's five-year probation sentence will be closely monitored to ensure he does not attempt any further fraudulent activities.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for robust property ownership verification and enforcement mechanisms to prevent individuals from unlawfully obtaining control of properties through fraudulent means. It also underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues that may contribute to criminal behavior.