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Landlord accused of falsely claiming to own a dwelling in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
james_pontillo.jpg
      James Pontillo

James D. Pontillo, 48, of Griswold Road, Byron, is charged with offering for file a false instrument, 2nd, grand larceny, 4th, falsifying business records, 1st, and forgery, 2nd.

Pontillo, who is the recorded owner of nine pieces of property in the City of Batavia, is accused of falsely portraying himself as the owner of a multi-dwelling property in the city and of filing documents indicating he was the owner and of collecting benefits from the State of New York.

Following arraignment in City Court yesterday, Pontillo was released without bail.

Previously:

Jack Dorf

Then why in the article below this one was the background of Bradley J. Broadbent not included in the article. There were 10 previous articles about him yet I see none. I guess your bias is selective Howard.

Jun 22, 2016, 9:04am Permalink
Jack Dorf

Howard there are plenty of other examples where you didn't include links to other stories on an individual. I thought the same thing as Jeff when I saw the story. That seems like it was done to just pile it on him.

Jun 22, 2016, 9:25am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

It's pretty amazing that linking to a bunch of stories about a local businessman that shows he's somebody who fights to take good care of his properties, a generally responsible landlord and not just some fly-by-night guy, is considered unfair or piling it on.

Unless, you're saying I'm being unfair to the PD for arresting him.

Jun 22, 2016, 9:38am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

I was (pretty much) thinking the same thing, Howard.

Although I could be wrong, because I couldn't remember the outcome of the "wayward fence" deal (didn't Mr. Pontillo "win" that fight in court?), it seems that Mr. Pontillo is the "victim" in the links you posted.

Guess it comes with the territory of being a landlord. They can't control what their tenants do - they can only react to it, afterwards.

Sort of like being the manager of an online news site. The "Buck stops here" syndrome!

Not knowing the facts of the case (because most of us probably only know what's been reported in the news so far), one would wonder if this is a misunderstanding on Mr. Pontillo's part (as I've said before, gov't documents contain so much "legalese" language, it can be daunting to comprehend), or if it was intentional. That's for the court to decide.

Jun 22, 2016, 10:19am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Ed, he won the fence case.

There is more to this story and we will report what becomes publicly available as it becomes available and people can decide for themselves what it all ads up to.

Jun 22, 2016, 10:26am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Thanks, Howard. Yeah, that's what I thought (about the fence).
Good! That reinforces my thought that "Old Timers" syndrome hasn't FULLY taken over.

Jun 22, 2016, 10:54am Permalink

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