There’s no doubt that New York is an expensive city, even for a brief stay. A four-night vacation in Manhattan can be a costly endeavor for most. But in the surreal case of Mickey Barreto, the cost of a five-year stay at a city hotel amounted to just $200.57. Now, however, he may face a much higher price: his freedom.
A guest who wouldn’t leave. In June 2018, Barreto paid for a night at the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan. Nothing suggested he would remain in Room 2565 for five years without ever paying another dime as a “permanent” resident.
According to The New York Times, this unusual occupancy wasn’t accidental but based on a legal maneuver involving New York’s rent stabilization law. For older hotels in New York City, this law can grant long-term guests the right to apply for a permanent lease. Originally designed to protect low-income tenants, the law allowed Barreto to claim a right to stay indefinitely at the hotel.
An unprecedented takeover attempt. As USA Today reports, after winning a court ruling in his favor, Barreto formally requested a lease, arguing he was entitled to remain under rent stabilization protections. With no hotel representatives present at his hearing, the judge ruled in Barreto’s favor and ordered the hotel to allow him continued access to the room. Despite the hotel’s objections, he managed to remain without further payment.
Armed with the court’s order granting him “possession” of the room, Barreto interpreted the decision as a right to possess the entire building. Citing an ambiguous interpretation of the law, he attempted to register ownership of the hotel with the city’s Department of Finance. After seven attempts, he succeeded in having his name temporarily listed as the hotel’s owner in city records—a move that shocked the true owners, the Unification Church.
I want my money. After securing a court order for possession of his hotel room, Barreto began to act as if he owned the entire New Yorker Hotel. According to the Times, he sent letters to attorneys for the Unification Church demanding up to $15 million in back payments and access to financial records.
Barreto’s actions didn’t stop there. He instructed the hotel restaurant to redirect rent payments to his room and attempted to access bank accounts associated with the property. Barreto even issued “renovation” orders, requesting the clearing of the 38th floor for inspection—a plot fit for a movie.
Blaming North Korea. In interviews and legal documents, Barreto argued that his actions were part of a larger mission: to block what he claimed was an illegal financial connection between the Unification Church and North Korea. He alleged that hotel funds were supporting the North Korean regime in violation of sanctions.
Some of Barreto’s relatives, however, described his behavior as “erratic,” noting his preoccupation with conspiracy theories and obsession with his ancestry. Barreto claimed he was descended from both Christopher Columbus and Portuguese royalty, using these theories to bolster his legal defense.
Legal battle and arrest. The Unification Church filed lawsuits to regain ownership of the property and evict Barreto. The court ultimately ruled that Barreto’s claims were fraudulent and ordered his eviction. Barreto refused to leave, remaining in the hotel without paying rent or agreeing to lease terms.
In 2023, Barreto was arrested and charged with 24 counts, including 14 counts of fraud, in connection with his attempted takeover of the hotel. Facing possible prison time, Barreto’s future looked grim.
Deemed unfit for trial. According to the Times, this week, following a psychiatric evaluation, a judge ruled that Barreto is mentally unfit to stand trial due to mental health and addiction issues. Barreto now has seven days to seek psychiatric treatment voluntarily. If he fails to do so, he will be involuntarily committed.
Image | Zach Korb
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