[Photo by Grant Shaffer]
Landlord Icon Realty has accused the Stage of illegally siphoning gas, which was the basis for a recent eviction notice in the aftermath of the deadly blast across from the diner on Second Avenue.
Roman Diakun, the owner of the 35-year-old Stage, has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Now, the Stage is suing Icon to stop the eviction process. The Post has the story:
Diakun "says in his Manhattan Supreme Court suit that Con Ed advised him to hire a plumber to restore gas service four days after the March 26 building explosion.
Diakun says there was no siphoning, claiming the plumber he hired discovered a gas leak in the basement of 128 Second Ave. and then removed extraneous pipes to fix the problem.
As The Wall Street Journal reported on April 20:
Since the explosion, 128 Second Ave. has accrued 87 violations with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, along with two additional violations and a stop-work order from the Department of Buildings, according to city records. The building has been without heat, hot water, or cooking gas for three weeks.
Icon bought the building in October 2013.
The Stage, 128 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and East Seventh Street, has been closed since March 30.
Previously on EV Grieve:
The possibility that the Stage won't reopen on 2nd Avenue
City serves stop work order on Icon Realty-owned building for installing gas pipe without permit across from deadly 2nd Avenue blast zone (48 comments)
Petition to help reopen the Stage
Tenants at 128 2nd Ave. file suit against Icon Realty in housing court
Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage
[Updated] Report: Icon Realty serves the Stage an eviction notice
Stage owner Roman Diakun responds to allegations of illegally siphoning gas
Petition to help reopen the Stage
[Updated] The Stage is giving away its bulk food and supplies to charity
people who can should appear in court with the stage, if he has a court date.
ReplyDeletenot to do anything other than sit there, perhaps with buttons saying "stage"
something
time to not sit around
It's possible that only the lawyers will show up in court.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I'd certain contribute to an online donation for the cause.
Good for them! It's time to take slum lords to task. People unite.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear they are fighting back and releasing the facts of the situation. Like another poster said, if they are taking donations for legal fees, I am happy to help. Just let us know where to give.
ReplyDeleteagree w 2:07 on all counts
ReplyDeleteGood.
ReplyDeleteAgree re: contribution to legal fees. Glad Roman is fighting back!
ReplyDeleteRoman always had legal recourse -- I'm glad to see him going on the OFFENSE. Aside from stopping the ICON eviction, he can and should sue for lost income and other damages....
ReplyDelete