Croman tenants are holding a rally outside Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre St. at 8:45 a.m. Afterwards, tenants are going to room 1333 on the 13th floor for the legal proceedings.
It has been nearly one year since State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the charges against Croman. His criminal case has been adjourned and bail continued five times now, according to the Croman Tenants Alliance. (His civil court date is June 5.)
The criminal charges stem from false documents Croman submitted listing rent-regulated units as market-rate apartments and inflating his commercial rental rates to obtain better refinancing. His debt broker, Barry Swartz, was charged with 15 felonies. Croman and Schwartz pleaded not guilty in state Supreme Court last May.
Croman's real-estate empire includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village. As previously noted, Croman owns more buildings in the East Village than any other landlord.
Updated 11:30 a.m.
Richard Johnson at the Post this morning reported that Croman was going to cop a plea that will have him serve eight months behind bars and pay a fine of $5 million to $10 million.
Croman is said to be thrilled he will get off so lightly, and so is his wife, Harriet, who is part of a wealthy clique of Upper East Side moms.
Croman faced up to 25 years in prison on charges of harassing rent-stabilized tenants so he could lease their units at market rates and inflating his rental receipts in order to fraudulently secure $45 million in bank loans.