Two Queens homes, collectively valued at over $3 million, have been returned to their elderly owners after being illegally seized by a group of real estate agents through a deed fraud scheme. The Queens District Attorney's office announced the successful recovery of the properties following the conviction of four individuals involved in the plot.
The case highlights the growing issue of property theft targeting vulnerable homeowners, particularly seniors. While the homes have been restored, one victim reports the irreplaceable loss of cherished family heirlooms that were discarded during the ordeal.
Key Takeaways
- Two homes in Queens, worth over $3 million, were returned to their elderly owners after being stolen via deed fraud.
- Four real estate agents were convicted for forging documents to illegally transfer the properties.
- Three of the convicted agents received probation, while one was sentenced to 4.5 to nine years in prison.
- The Queens District Attorney's Housing and Worker Protection Bureau led the effort to void the fraudulent sales and restore ownership.
A Sophisticated Fraud Scheme Uncovered
Prosecutors detailed how a ring of four real estate agents targeted properties belonging to elderly women, aged 76 and 79, in the Kew Gardens Hills and Queens Village neighborhoods. The group, identified as Autumn Valeri, Lawrence Ray, Torey Guice, and a fourth man known as Carl Avinger, orchestrated the theft by falsifying official documents and forging signatures to gain control of the deeds.
Once they had illicitly obtained the deeds, the agents moved to sell the homes for a significant profit. Their operation was brought to a halt following an investigation that led to a 47-count indictment in March of last year.
The case was prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney's Housing and Worker Protection Bureau, a specialized unit established in 2020 to combat such crimes. "We will not stand by and let property owners lose their homes to fraudsters," said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. "Prosecuting those who steal people’s homes is only part of our work — we are just as committed to returning those homes to their rightful owners."
Justice Served, But Scars Remain
The legal process resulted in convictions for all four individuals involved. Valeri, Ray, and Guice pleaded guilty to charges including grand larceny and fraud. As part of a plea agreement, they avoided prison time and were sentenced to probation. The agreement also required them to consent to voiding the fraudulent deeds. Additionally, Ray was ordered to forfeit nearly $404,000 in proceeds from the scheme.
The fourth conspirator, Carl Avinger, who prosecutors said used multiple aliases, received a much stricter sentence of 4.5 to nine years in prison for his role.
The Emotional Toll on Victims
For the victims, the return of their property does not erase the emotional and personal losses. Gloria Kubick, one of the homeowners, expressed her profound disappointment that three of the perpetrators avoided jail. She described the heartbreak of discovering that personal family possessions had been thrown away by the scammers after they took control of her home.
"It’s all just thrown in the garbage," Kubick said, recounting the loss of items like her late father's 'Welcome Home Johnny' sign from his return from World War II. "It’s like their lives meant nothing."
The Path to Restoring Ownership
The District Attorney's office explained that recovering the properties required significant legal action. In one instance, a third home had been targeted by the group, but authorities were able to intervene and have a judge void the illicit sale before the property was transferred to a new buyer.
For the other two homes, which had already been sold to new owners, the process was more complex. The DA's office had to file civil court actions to have the fraudulent deeds officially nullified and restore the titles to the original, rightful owners.
Protecting Against Deed Fraud
Deed fraud is a crime where a person forges a homeowner's signature on a deed and files it with the county, effectively transferring ownership without the real owner's knowledge. Experts advise homeowners to:
- Regularly check their property records with the county clerk's office.
- Be cautious of unsolicited offers to buy their home, especially if they are not actively selling.
- Never sign documents they don't fully understand without consulting a trusted attorney.
A Warning to Homeowners
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of property fraud, a crime that often preys on the most vulnerable members of the community. The successful prosecution and property recovery by the Queens DA's office underscore a commitment to combating these schemes.
While the legal battle for these two homes is over, the experience leaves a lasting impact on the victims who not only faced the potential loss of their most valuable asset but also suffered the destruction of priceless family memories. Authorities continue to urge homeowners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to their property titles immediately.
