Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud After Claiming Ownership of New Yorker Hotel

Mickey Barreto admitted to forging property records in an attempt to take over the iconic Manhattan hotel.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A New York City man named Mickey Barreto has pleaded guilty to fraud charges after attempting to claim ownership of the historic New Yorker Hotel. Barreto had initially rented a room at the hotel in 2018 and then used an obscure tenant law to try to gain possession of the entire building, even going so far as to upload a fake deed to a city website. He was eventually evicted in 2024 and charged with multiple counts of felony fraud.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential for abuse of little-known housing laws, as well as the challenges faced by property owners in dealing with determined squatters. The New Yorker Hotel is an iconic Manhattan landmark, and Barreto's actions threatened the rightful ownership and operation of the building.

The details

According to prosecutors, Barreto initially rented a room at the New Yorker Hotel in 2018 for $200. He then claimed that his one-night stay entitled him to protections under a city housing law for single-room occupants of pre-1969 buildings. When the hotel refused to grant him a lease, Barreto took the case to housing court and was awarded "possession" of the room after the hotel failed to send a lawyer to a key hearing. Barreto then went a step further, defrauding the state by uploading a fake deed that purported to transfer ownership of the entire hotel to himself. He attempted to collect rent from a hotel tenant and demanded the hotel's bank accounts be transferred to him, but was eventually evicted in 2024 and charged with multiple felonies.

  • Barreto rented a room at the New Yorker Hotel in 2018 for $200.
  • In 2024, Barreto was evicted from the premises.
  • On February 18, 2026, Barreto pleaded guilty to fraud charges.

The players

Mickey Barreto

A New York City man who attempted to claim ownership of the New Yorker Hotel by exploiting an obscure tenant law and forging property records.

New Yorker Hotel

The iconic Art Deco hotel in Manhattan that was the target of Barreto's fraudulent ownership claim.

Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity

The current owner of the New Yorker Hotel, a church founded in South Korea by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon.

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What they’re saying

“I never intended to commit any fraud. I don't believe I ever committed any fraud. And I never made a penny out of this.”

— Mickey Barreto (Associated Press)

What’s next

Barreto was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence that he has already served, along with five years of probation as part of his plea deal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for abuse of little-known housing laws and the challenges faced by property owners in dealing with determined squatters. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of vigilance and proper legal procedures when it comes to property ownership and tenant rights.