Hello everyone,
It’s been a minute since we’ve provided an update on Mr. Cortez’s situation.
The eviction hearing in Housing Court has been put on hold for the moment. Negotiations are taking place in Guardianship Court, trying to resolve this injustice.
In the meantime, we are happy to announce that Senator Brisport has introduced a package of bills which includes a one-year reprieve on the Statute of Limitations for fraud (Senate Bill S7491). If passed, this legislation would help Mr. Cortez’s case immensely since that is one of the biggest roadblocks he faces in trying to regain back the rightful ownership to his home of fifty-six years. This package of bills will not only help Mr. Cortez, but also so many other families of color that are currently fighting similar situations. (PLEASE SUPPORT SB S7491 VIA LINK BELOW)
Thank you all for your continued support. Without you none of this would be happening. Because of you all, we’re still fighting.
God bless.
PS. A press conference was held this past Friday May 16th in front of Mr. Cortez’s home to announce the introduction of these bills. Senator Brisport, Assemblywoman Simon and Assemblyman Cunningham, neighbors and the community at large were in attendance. The event was covered by News12, WPIX11 and WABC.
This was the statement given to the press by Mr. Cortez’s son that Friday:
Good afternoon everyone.
Thank you all for taking the time to attend this press conference.
Last December we met with Senator Brisport and Assemblywoman Simon to see if they could help my father regain the rightful ownership to his home of fifty-six years which he lost to a cunning fraudster. They listened attentively to what was going on with my father’s case and oKered to help in every way possible to correct this tragic injustice.
During that meeting we voiced our concerns. We informed them of the roadblocks we were running into. One of the biggest obstacles in front of us was the Statute of Limitations on fraud. We mentioned, what at the time seemed like a far-fetched idea, “If only there was a one-year reprieve on the Statute of Limitations for fraud, so that deed theft and deed scam victims, like my father, could present, or resubmit, their claims much like what was done with the Adult Survivors Act…that would be incredible.” It seemed almost an impossibility back then for something like that to happen, just a crazy notion you kick around. But thankfully, Senator Brisport and Assemblywoman Simon were listening, and today what seemed impossible is on its way of hopefully becoming a reality.
The Statute of Limitations Pause legislation that has been introduced by Senator Brisport will not only help my father, but also so many other families that have been fighting for years to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
One thing that I’d like to point out is that even though my father was going through this horrible ordeal, it wasn’t until we were in Housing Court, facing eviction, that I realized the rampant nature of these crimes. At that first eviction hearing, several people, whom I did not know, showed up to support my father. All of them were elderly deed theft and deed scam victims or related to them. All of them were of color. The love and support they showed my father, even though they themselves were still going through their tribulations, was heartwarming…and heartbreaking.
The time has come to help a very vulnerable segment of our beautiful city: our elderly homeowners of colors.
There is something wrong and quietly grotesque happening in our city. A while ago someone told me that they overheard an attorney working on behalf of Deed Theft victims of color say that “The Brooklyn Foreclosure Courts are a ‘trading floor’ for black and brown generational equity”. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The bills that are being introduced will not only help fight deed theft and deed scam after they’ve occurred, but they will also help prevent these crimes by empowering County Clerk offices to be on the lookout for possible fraudulent transactions. These bills will also require banks, mortgage lenders and title insurance companies to do the right thing or else face dire consequences.
Once again, I’d like to thank Senator Brisport, Assemblywoman Simon and all the elected officials who are co-sponsoring this package of bills. It is public servants like you all that give our elderly community of color hope in knowing that we are not alone.
Lastly, I’d like to thank our neighbors and community at large that have been a bastion of support. Without you we would not be standing here today, still fighting to correct this terrible injustice.
God bless.
Please take the time to read the bills. Show your support by voting “Aye” via these links and more importantly, share them with friends and family. We need all the help we can get. We need to make sure they make their way onto Governor’s Hochul desk to be signed into law as soon as possible.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7491
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S605
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7647