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SCAMMER OF FAMILIES WITH HOPES OF OBTAINING APARTMENT THROUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOTTERY ARRESTED

Council Member Rodriguez and Senator Espaillat stand with victims to announce the arrest of Jennifer Ricardo an individual identified as the scammer

New York, NY- Today NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat announced the arrest of Jennifer Ricardo, an individual identified by a number of families who were promised an opportunity to obtain affordable housing in exchange for money. Council Member Rodriguez and Senator Espaillat praised the NYPD for quickly bringing Ms. Ricardo to justice.

With the expectation that they would be given a key to a new apartment at the recently renovated 552 Academy Street building, victims paid Jennifer Ricardo $2,700 each. This unscrupulous individual went as far as handing some of the victims a phony lease and keys to their presumed apartments. After collecting money from a number of families, the individual stopped communicating with the victims and fled the country.

In a district where the average household income is $39,535 or less, the housing crisis in New York City has been especially felt in this community. The housing lottery for 552 Academy Street generated approximately 50,000 applicants with only 25 units available. At a moment where the city is working towards the creation of an additional 100,000 units of affordable housing, it is important for us to draw lessons from this case so communities do not fall victim to the criminal actions of unscrupulous individuals who prey on the neediest.

Individuals who believe they might be victim to this or a similar scam should reach out to the Manhattan District Attorney's hotline at 212-335-3600 file a report.

"I applaud the NYPD for bringing Ms. Ricardo to justice. Taking advantage of these families in desperate need of housing is despicable and I am proud that law enforcement has rooted it out this unscrupulous individual. I plan on working in continued partnership with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance to ensure justice prevails." said Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez

"The great work of the 34th precinct to find and arrest Jennifer Ricardo sends a clear message to the con-arrests who wish to prey on families desperate to find affordable housing-you will be brought to justice," said State Senator Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan/Bronx) Ranking Member of the State Senate's Housing Committee."The best way to prevent these scams is to stay vigilant. When you are in the process of leasing an apartment remember the families who lost thousands of dollars in this scam."

"In the desperation of finally having a home, an apartment we could live comfortably in, we fell victim to Jennifer Ricardo's scam. She took advantage of our families and did not care that she would be cheating us out of the money that took us many long hours to earn. I'm so relieved that the NYPD has brought Ms. Ricardo to justice. Thank you Councilman Rodriguez and Senator Espaillat for you advocacy and assistance during my family's time of need. " said Ana Villegas, victim of Jennifer Ricardo