Joseph Klein
SPRING VALLEY — Notorious landlord Joseph Klein is paying off $20,000 in fines and facing the threat of jail as village officials push him to clean up long-neglected homes and apartments.
The village called Klein its “number one violator” and ordered him to make all repairs by the end of July.
Klein told Spring Valley Village Justice Alan Simon during a Thursday court appearance that he has corrected many of the safety violations.
Buildings where serious violations remain are now unoccupied, his lawyer told the court.
“He’s making progress,” Jesse Hutton, village code enforcement officer, told Simon.
Klein and companies he owns have homes and buildings in many Rockland communities, including Ramapo, Tomkins Cove, West Haverstraw, Airmont and Clarkstown.
He has been cited for unsafe conditions in many of the properties.
The county formed a task force in 2009 to try to force slumlords to make repairs at unsafe buildings. The task force has also asked for the public’s help getting tips about the illegal conversion of buildings, dormitories, rooming houses and one-family homes.
Firefighters have increasingly been attending court hearings to make sure that bad landlords face justice.
That effort started after numerous instances where firefighters became trapped or disoriented battling blazes in illegally subdivided properties.
Five firefighters attended Klein’s court hearing Thursday to make sure that the village justice holds the landlord to the agreement.
“I think good progress was made today, but we have a long way to go,” said retired New York City firefighter John Kryger, who serves as Rockland’s deputy fire coordinator and vice chairman of the Rockland County Illegal Housing Task Force. “These are just baby steps.”
Kryger said he hopes other municipalities take action against Klein.
“Our only concern is the people living in those buildings and the lives of the volunteer firefighters who will have to enter those buildings,” Kryger said.
Earlier this year, Klein agreed to pay a $20,000 fine for violations at 14 properties he owns in Spring Valley. Klein paid $8,500 of the fine immediately and agreed to pay $1,000 monthly until the rest is paid.
The Spring Valley properties include 17 Washington Ave., 17 Jay St., 5 East Church St., 31 Franklin Ave., 13 East Castle Ave., 9 Murin St. and 28 Lafayette Ave.
Simon told him that if he did not abide by the agreement, he would be sent to jail.
“He’s our number one violator,” village attorney Kevin Conway said. “As per the mayor, the village is serious about enforcing the health, safety and fire codes.”
By Jane Lerner - Lohud.com
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