‘We are humans:’ Tenant behind class action lawsuit against Skyline Apartments hopes it ‘wakes Troy Green up’

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) – Three tenants have filed a class action lawsuit against Skyline Apartments and building owners Tim and Troy Green for their alleged “pattern of exploitation” by low-income tenants.

“The Greens have failed in all aspects of building management, except in the rent,” the lawsuit said.

In an interview with NewsChannel 9, Larry Fuller, one of the tenants mentioned, says: “We are people. We have the right to live here in peace and security. We don’t get that. “

The lawsuit was filed with the professional assistance of Legal Services of Central New York, a nonprofit group of attorneys funded by grants rather than being paid by client fees.

Senior attorney Joseph Maslak told NewsChannel 9, “Under New York law, every rental agreement includes a promise from the landlord to keep the property safe, clean, and habitable. The Greens don’t have it. ”

The 18-page lawsuit highlights similar complaints uncovered during the intensive scrutiny of the building since the murder of 93-year-old Connie Tuori and the legal action taken by the City of Syracuse against the property.

On March 17, Tuori’s body was found in her 12th floor unit, three weeks after police reported that 23-year-old Victoria Afet had tortured her to death.

Tuori’s surviving neighbors have since advocated improvements to the safety and cleanliness of the building.

A class action lawsuit means current tenants and anyone who has lived in the building at any time since the Greens bought it in December 2016 could be entitled to compensation for their living conditions.

The lawsuit lists numerous complaints about the building, its management and the Green Family property:

  • Dismissing full-time security guards hired by previous owners and replacing them with construction personnel
  • Failure to install security cameras in stairwells
  • Intruders entering the building resulting in drug use, drug sales, robbery and robbery
  • Trash, used drug needles, feces and urine pollute stairwells and common areas
  • Failure to maintain working elevators

The lawsuit contains evidence that the owners and management knew about the living conditions but did not take any action.

Since Tuori’s assassination and pressure from the city of Syracuse to clean up the property, the Green Family has touted improvements.

When asked if he saw the improvements, tenant Larry Fuller replies: “In a way, yes. In a way, no. “

Fuller says he and other renters hope one day they will feel comfortable enough to invite friends and family to their apartments. Some tenants with partial custody of children are not allowed to take them in.

“I hope the lawsuit wakes Troy Green up,” says Fuller. “He has to take responsibility”

In response to NewsChannel 9’s request for comment, Troy Green says he needs to review the entire lawsuit first.

The lawyer says it is too early to know how much money each renter could get.

Those invited to the course will be contacted by email or by calling the Central New York Legal Department at (315) 703-6500.

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