N.Y. landlord fined for removing tenant's toilet

[January 23, 2009]  SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (AP) -- A New York landlord accused of removing the toilet and other fixtures from a basement apartment to get a tenant to move out has been fined nearly $10,000. The Rockland Board of Health issued the fine to Fausto Pinos of Bushkill, Pa., on Wednesday.

Pinos did not appear at the meeting, but his brother, Jesus Pinos, speaking on his behalf, said the landlord did not dispute the charges. He said Pinos thought that removing the toilet, a bathtub, kitchen sink, stove, oven and countertop from the Spring Valley, N.Y., apartment would force the woman and her child to move.

It is not clear why the landlord wanted her evicted.

Officials said Fausto Pinos was charged with 24 housing code violations. There was no listing for a Fausto Pinos in Bushkill, Pa.

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Information from: The Journal News, http://www.thejournalnews.com/

[Associated Press]

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