Joseph Makhani, of Kings Point, sentenced for stealing Harlem brownstones worth $4.7M, leaving owner homeless

A Kings Point man was sentenced to up to 21 years in prison on Tuesday after he was found guilty of using fake documents to steal two Harlem brownstones worth $4.7 million and forcing an elderly homeowner to live in a homeless shelter for years.

Joseph Makhani, 63, was ordered by New York State Supreme Court Judge Michele Rodney to serve three consecutive sentences and pay $500,000 in restitution after a seven-week trial ending in July, Attorney General Letitia James said in a news release.

"After years of scheming and deceiving New Yorkers, Joseph Makhani is finally facing justice," James said in the statement. "Makhani’s heartless deed theft operation caused years of chaos for tenants and left the rightful owner of a valuable Harlem brownstone homeless."

In 2012, Makhani used fraudulent deeds, other false documents and shell companies to steal a brownstone at 107 W. 118th St. and used false documents to steal a brownstone at 135 W. 131st St., Newsday previously reported. 

He went on to rent out units at market rate using a forged application to the New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development, while evicting tenants in the process.

Evidence at trial showed the true owner of the brownstone was forced to live in a homeless shelter for years.

James indicted Makhani in July 2023 and he was found guilty this year of two counts of first-degree criminal possession of stolen property and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud, following a seven-week trial.

Rodney sentenced Makhani to 4 to 12 years for the theft of the West 118th Street property, 3 to 9 years for the theft of West 131st Street property, and 1 1/3 to 4 years for the scheme to defraud.

The sentences will run consecutively and total a combined 7 to 21 years, James’ office said.

Makhani must also pay $500,000 in restitution to Flushing Bank by May 7.

The court will hold a later hearing to determine whether to vacate the deeds and mortgage that Makhani recorded against the West 118th Street property, the release said.

Susan Necheles, Makhani's defense attorney, was not immediately available for comment.