Top Clinton Backer Behind Eviction of Middle Class Manhattanites

City Hall reports:

Marc Lasry is a major Democratic donor, a board member of the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation's Clinton Global Initiative and a "Hilraiser" who has committed to bundling at least $100,000 for New York's junior senator.

But as Shakira and Rosario Castronovo are discovering, he does not seem to let his political connections get in the way of business.

When the Castronovos were preparing for the arrival of their second child in March, the last thing they had on their minds was moving. The two had lived in an apartment at 65 West 95th Street for three years with their two-year-old daughter. Shakira lived within a few blocks of the school where she teaches second grade and would walk to work. Her husband would drop off their daughter later in the day and Shakira would walk home with her daughter in hand.


That all changed the moment they returned home from the hospital with their newborn daughter Leïla Marinella. A neighbor greeted them with news that after the building's recent purchase by a new landlord in early March, all market rate tenants were to vacate their apartments by the end of April. Shortly after, the Castronovos received notice that they had to be out within five weeks.

The family asked for an extension due to their new daughter's birth, but said that they were told that no accommodations would be made.

So the family embarked on a frantic search for a new apartment. Ultimately, the family moved two miles north to Harlem's Striver's Row on the Sunday that found New York City under a torrent of Nor'easter rain.

The Castronovos are one of 89 families served with eviction notices from UWS Acquisitions, LLC, an affiliate of Avenue Capital, a hedge fund that manages more than $13 billion in assets, based in midtown Manhattan. The company purchased 89 units in three buildings, 65 and 55 West 95th Street and 150 West 87th Street, in March.

Via Kausfiles