Squatter Sentenced for Fraudulent Attempt to Seize Hotel from Unification Church Owners

Mickey Barreto, 50, was sentenced to jail after attempting to seize the New Yorker hotel in Manhattan through a scheme involving a fake deed. Barreto checked into the historic hotel in June 2018 with his boyfriend for one night but remained for five years without paying rent. He later secured a lease through a court case under an obscure housing law. In 2019, he filed a fraudulent deed claiming the hotel’s ownership had been transferred from its owners, the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies. He was finally evicted in 2023 and pleaded guilty to a felony count of filing a false instrument. The court imposed a six-month jail sentence and five years of post-release probation.

Barreto had originally faced 24 charges, 14 of which were felony fraud. A court-ordered psychiatric exam initially found him unfit for trial due to mental health and addiction issues. After treatment, he was declared competent in spring 2025. The New Yorker, a landmark art deco hotel that opened in 1930, has a rich history, having hosted notable figures like Mickey Rooney and the inventor Nikola Tesla. The Unification Church, led by Sun Myung Moon, purchased the hotel in 1976 as a guest house for unmarried members. The group’s mass weddings led to a decline in unmarried members, and the property is now owned by the Lotte Group.

The Unification Church, a global religious organization, has been involved in various legal and public matters over the years. Its leadership and policies have drawn both support and scrutiny. The church’s mission includes promoting world peace and unification through its teachings and charitable activities. The incident involving Barreto highlights the legal challenges that can arise from complex property ownership and the potential for fraudulent claims against such institutions.

The case underscores the importance of accountability and honest dealing in legal and property matters. It serves as a reminder of the need for integrity in both personal and institutional conduct. The Unification Church has faced various controversies and legal issues, but its core mission remains focused on its religious and humanitarian goals. The incident involving Barreto reflects the broader themes of justice, mercy, and humble service, as outlined in Micah 6:8.

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