VGN ‘slumlord’ misses court date

Dan Glaun

A alleged ‘slumlord,’ convicted last spring of serious and potentially dangerous code violations in a property on Steamboat Road, missed his court date Oct. 16.

Sharok Jacobi, convicted what the Village of Great Neck described as “significant health and safety violations” in March 2012, failed to appear in court, according to Village Justice Mark Birnbaum. Jacobi was sentenced to pay a $17,050 fine and serve up to 8 months in prison, according to a village press release, for operating an illegal and dangerous multi-family home.

Jacobi’s lawyer said he was had left the country following the Jewish holidays, according to Birnbaum.

“He said [Jacobi] was out of the county in Israel,” Birnbaum said.

Village Justice John Mostel, the presiding judge in the case, was scheduled to issue a final sentence following the rejection of Jacobi’s appeal, Birnbaum said, and made clear that Jacobi’s appearance at his next court date is mandatory.

“The judge was adamant about [Jacobi’s] appearance on Nov. 20,” Birnbaum said.

Mostel also heard testimony from village building inspector Dennis Fromigia that, following initial improvements, the house at 127 Steamboat Road had again lapsed out of code compliance, according to the Great Neck Record.

Jacobi was convicted of operating an illegal dwelling that, according to a village press release, put multiple families’ lives at risk. The house included eight illegal apartments, including a tenant living in a locked closet, and was plagued by poor light and ventilation, mold, and violations of electrical and fire codes, according to the village release.

“We believe that the punishment fits the crime,” Village of Great Neck Mayor Ralph Kreitzman said in the 2012 release. “This resolution serves as a reminder to those who are willing to exploit others for their own personal benefit. These actions clearly demonstrate a wanton disregard for the life, safety and welfare of others, and we will continue to play a role in assuring that these violations will not be tolerated.”

Reach reporter Dan Glaun by e-mail at dglaun@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203 and on Twitter @dglaun. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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