According to the New York Post, a fake deed filed with the New York City Register's office falsely claimed that Ivanka Trump and Hillary Clinton were involved in a $150 million real estate transaction in Manhattan.
The forgery, lacking necessary signatures and featuring bizarre assertions, was flagged by a real estate broker and subsequently removed. Over the past ten years, authorities have probed around 3,500 fraudulent deeds in NYC.
The forged documents, filed with the NYC Register’s office, falsely implicated Ivanka Trump and Hillary Clinton in a $150 million Manhattan real estate deal. The Post flagged them, and they were only taken down.
The fraudulent deed was missing mandatory notary signatures, and strange claims were made about the buyers. It suggested that Trump, Clinton, and someone named “Louis Reyes” had purchased air and subterranean rights to the University Club and the "Sky House" duplex in Central Park Tower.
The "Sky House" duplex on the 127th and 128th floors boasts eight bedrooms, 9.5 bathrooms, and 11,535 square feet. It is currently listed for $150 million.
The forged documents weirdly claimed that the buyers were “relatives or former relatives” of an alleged seller named “David Smith.”
City clerks approved the paperwork on May 16, marking it with an "approved" stamp. The inclusion of the University Club in the deed might be linked to a notorious 1997 incident involving Clinton and Cindy Adams that led to their expulsion from the club.
Ryan Lavis, spokesperson for the City Department of Finance, acknowledged the error and confirmed that the deed was removed following a review. Lavis explained that the City Register reviews all recordings for signs of deed fraud and makes referrals to the Sheriff’s Office and prosecuting attorney offices where necessary.
Over the past decade, authorities have investigated approximately 3,500 fraudulent deeds in New York City. Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation making it easier for victims of deed theft to recover their property. Despite these measures, fraudulent deeds continue to be a significant issue.
Real estate broker Adelaide Polsinelli expressed alarm over the ease with which real estate documents can be manipulated. "It’s frightening to think real estate documents can be so easily manipulated that every city clerk involved overlooked such an obvious fake," she remarked.
The fraudulent deed was flagged by a real estate broker who recognized the discrepancies in the documents. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and thorough verification in real estate transactions, especially in a market as complex and high-stakes as Manhattan’s.
The Trump Organization and the Clinton Foundation did not respond to requests for comment. The involvement of such high-profile figures in a fraudulent deed, even if fabricated, highlights the potential for significant repercussions in the real estate industry.
A fabricated deed wrongly implicated Ivanka Trump and Hillary Clinton in a $150 million real estate transaction in Manhattan. The forgery, which bizarrely claimed the purchase of air and underground rights to the University Club and the "Sky House" duplex, was identified by a broker and subsequently invalidated. Over the past decade, authorities have investigated approximately 3,500 fraudulent deeds in New York City. Despite approval by city clerks, the fraudulent paperwork was eventually retracted after further scrutiny.
