Brazilians may have to pay R$850,000 to the hotel. An American expert interviewed by TV Globo’s Fantástico program (which also aired a report on the case this Sunday) stated that the Brazilian could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison due to the fraud he allegedly committed.
Remember the case
It all started in June 2018, according to The New York Times. Barreto arrived at the hotel, on Oitava Avenida, and stayed for one night, having agreed on a daily rate of approximately R$1,000. From then on, he never left the place again until the eviction order was issued.
Brazilian requested a benefit from the New Yorker Hotel, which they denied — starting the confusion. A New York law says that hotels built before 1969 that had rooms renting for less than R$440 per week in May 1968 could have a guest as a permanent resident, requesting a discounted rent.
Barreto sued the hotel and won the case. More than that: he tried to put room 2565 in his name. But, as the hotel did not divide its registrations by rooms, the Brazilian managed to register the entire enterprise and became owner of the New Yorker Hotel.
After much fighting, a judge issued a decision saying that the deed was forged and that Barreto did not own anything. Despite this, he continued to present himself as the owner, which led to yet another legal action for contempt.
