2004, though he could not recall when it became empty. Oliva knew that Liriano had lived there
and that the Apartment had been occupied after Liriano moved, but did not have details as to the
subsequent occupant.
Oliva first met Farkas, who he referred to as "Mendy," in October 2008, when, he
said, Farkas attempted to raise the rent for the Apartment to $2000 per month. After Oliva
commenced an HP action, he testified, Farkas asked him to move, and offered him money in
exchange for his agreement to vacate the Apartment. Ultimately, they agreed to a rent of $1000
per month. The parties had several conversations regarding payment in exchange for Oliva's
agreement to vacate the Apartment.
Cedillo testified briefly, stating that she was the wife of Oliva and moved into the
Building in May 2004. She described each of the Building's four floors as containing two [*5]apartments, including the basement. She visited the basement,
when she became aware of a vacant apartment there, and took a friend to look at it. Her friend,
she stated, did not like the apartment or its condition, and did not rent it; she never saw the other
basement apartment. Cedillo described a period in January 2009 when there were no services in
the apartment, and said they were restored by the city; she had no information about any HP
proceeding. Cedillo also testified that in January 2009, the landlord demolished the apartments in
the basement and on the first floor.
Respondent called Farkas as a witness, and he testified that he managed 73
properties in New York City. He further testified that, in October 2008, he counted five
apartments at the Building. He testified that nothing had been done to create additional