The Audacity of Ownership and Mickey Barreto’s Masterpiece of Delusion
Seriously? A New York City man tried to forge property records to claim ownership of the New Yorker Hotel? I mean, really? Is this what passes for ambition these days? Apparently, swiping a historical landmark with fabricated paperwork is someones idea of a get-rich-quick scheme. Mickey Barreto – the name itself sounds like something pulled from a particularly cheesy detective novel – actually thought he could pull that off.
It’s breathtakingly stupid. Like trying to convince Times Square Santa you’re the rightful heir to Rockefeller Center. The sheer chutzpah! You dont even have to be remotely clever to realize this plan was doomed from the start. One imagines the legal team involved is currently weeping into their briefcases, simultaneously horrified and vaguely amused by the sheer audacity of it all.
And let’s not pretend that this isnt sadly predictable. There are always people who believe they can circumvent reality with a little bit of forgery and a whole lot of delusion. Its just… disheartening to see it play out involving one of Manhattans most iconic buildings. Now, he’ll face consequences. Good. Let him contemplate his poor decisions from behind bars while actual owners maintain the New Yorker Hotel. Frankly, I expected more from this city.
