Lawyers Squabble in Trial of Alleged Apt Scam

By DAWN ELIGIO & AHAQIR ISHAQ

The Defense Attorney for two allegedly phony real estate brokers accused of scamming Hispanic immigrants out of thousands of dollars asked a Manhattan judge on Thursday for contact information of the purported victims to verify they were actual victims.

But the prosecution argued against the move, fearing the subjects might be tracked down and intimidated.

Defense attorneys Greg Cooper and Heriberto Cabrera said there may have been over a 100 victims and wanted to make sure that the victims were actual victims.

Defendants Ricardo Gonzales 36, and Elizabeth Adrian Perez, 30, took advantage of over 20 Hispanic immigrants and extorted thousands of dollars from them in a Washington Heights apartment scam, according to the Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance.

Gonzales and Perez were accused of showcasing Washington Heights apartments, accepting payments without providing apartments, according to the DA. Both pleaded not guilty to scheme to defraud and grand larceny.

The duo allegedly stole up to $5,500 from each victim from June 2014 to May, prosecutors said. Some apartments that were showcased were already occupied.

The judge reserved decision and the hearing was adjourned to December 9.