Florida woman allegedly fraudulently claimed NYC co-op ownership

A Florida woman, Jessica Vargas, is being sued for allegedly taking over a co-op building in Williamsburg and trying to sell it for $1.4 million. The lawsuit claims she pocketed nearly $450,000 in rent while falsely claiming ownership. Vargas argues that a city official told her the ownership was legitimate after her father's death in 2018. The New York Attorney General's office contends she created false documents to assert ownership and failed to pay over $40,000 in property taxes. The lawsuit seeks to reclaim the building's title and the rent collected. Vargas has denied wrongdoing and claims she was only trying to support her family. The AG's office states her actions were fraudulent and not in line with co-op regulations.