Stop the Marks brothers, Jocelyn Pierre! – Latest News
You used to need a gun and a couple of employed goons to run shakedown rackets in the Big Apple — however today, the feds will help you do it.
On behalf of Jocelyn Pierre, a paraplegic New Yorker, lawyer-brothers Bradly and Darren Marks have filed 113 federal Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits in opposition to companies throughout the metropolis.
The consequence? Pierre’s now residing in swanky digs and has reportedly purchased a Mercedes, which means an even nicer payday for the Marks brothers.
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The primary thought is fairly easy: Pierre claims he’s tried to enter a business however couldn’t; his legal professionals then swoop in to sue on the grounds that the place is violating the ADA.
It’s cheaper and simpler for many locations simply to settle, moderately than combat it out by the courts.
Pierre and the Marks brothers (in a scheme worthy of Groucho himself) have focused upscale joints like the Paul Stuart boutique on Madison and celeb fave pizza spot Lucali in Carroll Gardens, but additionally mom-and-pop companies.
Like Electric Lotus, a Fort Greene tattoo parlor, and Emma’s Torch, a culinary nonprofit that helps refugees get restaurant coaching.
That’s the approach, boys — bankrupt native charities for enjoyable and revenue!
And should you imagine that Pierre has truly been harmed by any of these locations, we have now a bridge to sell you.
The man who runs Electric Lotus has zero reminiscence of Pierre ever even coming in, reportedly a common theme in these lawsuits.
And his criticism in opposition to Lucali was filed two years after he allegedly confronted noncompliant entry issues there — conveniently, after the security digicam tapes that might exonerate the pizza place would auto-erase.
This racket’s not even new; The Post reported on a comparable serial ADA “victim” back in 2011.
Federal reform might stop the ADA scam-suits, however New York legal guidelines do loads to allow comparable schemes.
Someday, perhaps the state can have an legal professional common who bothers to guard the public from the legal shakedown artists.
