Legal Challenges Mount Against Mamdani Administration
Randy Mastro, a veteran New York litigator known for his work as a federal prosecutor and former deputy mayor, has become a prominent antagonist to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. Mastro is representing homeowners affected by the rollout of the pied-à-terre tax and has filed lawsuits challenging the mayor's plans to freeze rents on stabilized apartments. He also represents an investigative reporter pro bono whose information requests into alleged antisemitism in City Hall have allegedly been stymied.
"I've got five lawsuits and counting," Mastro said, adding, "If [Mamdani] is still breaking the law there may be more."
Rent Freeze Lawsuit Moves to Manhattan
A lawsuit challenging New York City's rent freeze was moved from Staten Island to Manhattan by Richmond County Supreme Court Justice Ralph J. Porzio on Friday. The court's decision noted that approximately 8,200 dwelling units in Richmond County are subject to rent stabilization, while the citywide estimate is approximately 996,600 units. The court also noted that no public hearing or meeting occurred in Richmond County.
The rent freeze, scheduled to begin Oct. 1, will halt increases for one- and two-year renewal leases through Sept. 30, 2027, affecting more than 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.
Mastro, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the landlords, told the New York Times that the venue change would not affect the case's outcome. "No matter where this case is heard, we should prevail on the merits because the evidence is overwhelming that the board failed to comply with its statutory mandate and manipulated and ignored its own data," he said.
The city has submitted several court documents since the lawsuit was brought in July, including statements from board members and public hearing transcripts.
Allegations of Board Packing and 'Theater'
The landlords allege that Mamdani went to extraordinary lengths to pack the Rent Guidelines Board with loyalists and spent millions in City funds to fill the board's hearings with tenant advocates. Christina Smyth, a longtime board member and property-owner representative, resigned on the morning of the vote, saying in her resignation letter that "this rebuilt board was required to deliver a rent freeze" and that "everything since has been theater."
Mamdani appointed six of the nine board members in February. Arpit Gupta, appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams, was the only board member to vote against the rent freeze in June, and told AMNY he observed no interference from City Hall in the board's decisions.
City Hall spokesperson Matt Rauschenbach defended the board's process and said the Law Department is prepared to defend the Rent Guidelines Board's decisions.
The Lawsuit's Details
The lawsuit, filed on July 22, claims the board focused only on tenant affordability to the exclusion of every cost and income factor the statute requires it to consider. The lead petitioner, Kenilworth Holdings LLC, operates six rent-stabilized units on Webster Avenue in New Brighton. Owner Michael Fazio runs supportive housing for individuals recovering from mental illness or substance use disorders, with rents paid by a care provider. Fazio has argued that operating expenses, including insurance and maintenance costs, have increased while rental income has remained stagnant, threatening the financial viability of his supportive housing.
The rent-freeze lawsuit is one of several legal challenges filed on Staten Island against Mamdani's initiatives. Staten Island was the only borough that Mamdani lost in the mayoral election.
Pied-à-Terre Tax Controversy
Mastro also represents homeowners targeted by Mamdani in the rollout of the pied-à-terre tax, a levy on second homes worth more than $5 million and condos worth more than $1 million when the owner isn't a primary resident of New York City. Mastro claims the tax is illegal because Mamdani put the onus on homeowners to immediately prove they didn't owe the tax. "That's not how the tax system is supposed to work," he said.
Mamdani erroneously sent threatening notices to homeowners who live in the city, and City Hall published their names. Mastro received one of those notices despite having lived in New York City as a primary residence for years.
Mastro's Background and Mamdani's Response
Mastro is a former federal prosecutor and deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani, and returned to City Hall under Eric Adams as first deputy mayor. He survived threats from La Cosa Nostra and represented former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the 'Bridgegate' scandal. He recently won a case to prevent the building of subsidized housing in lower Manhattan.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old former assemblyman with a resume that includes a stint as a rapper, ran on a platform of far-left socialism and radicalized grievances against Israel. Mastro made headlines declaring he wouldn't "work for a socialist." Mamdani recently said, "There are few things more certain in New York City than death, taxes and Randy Mastro filing a lawsuit against this administration."
A former colleague of Mastro said, "Randy isn't my cup of tea. He can be a real a–hole," but added that he is an excellent litigator. The former colleague also said, "Your incompetence will be exposed going up against Randy Mastro."