Landlord Fined $2,400 for False Statement on Alteration Application

DOB issued a violation notice to a building's commercial storefront tenant for making a false statement on a premises alteration application. Tenant checked a box indicating that there was no occupied housing for rent-controlled or rent-stabilized tenants in the building. This wasn't true, and the ALJ fined tenant $2,400. Tenant appealed and lost. The fact that the alteration was in the storefront of the building wasn't a valid defense because the phrase "site of the building to be altered" on the application form referred to the entire building. 

DOB. v. Wang: ECB App. No. 1800247 (5/17/18) [2-pg. doc.]