Florida man gets over 50 months in prison for defrauding NYC landlords
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A Florida man, who refers to himself as the "Wolf of Airbnb," was sentenced to over 50 months in prison for his connection in a scheme "to defraud New York City landlords and the U.S. Government" United States Attorney Damian Williams said on Monday.
Konrad Bicher, 32, failed to make more than $1 million in rental payments between July 2019 and April 2022. According to prosecutors, Bicher listed the rental units on Airbnb as short-term rentals, making at least $1,170,000. The unit's lessors attempted to recover the missed payments and, in an attempt to stop Bicher from listing the units on the popular website, even initiated civil litigation.
Between April 2021 and July 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bicher got a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program or a "PPP loan." He filed for loans from three different companies and got over $565,000. Prosecutors said that Bicher applied for the loans using fake documents and falsifying information.
The four-year and three-month prison term came after Bicher pleaded guilty a year ago to a wire fraud charge. He was also ordered to forfeit $1.7 million and pay $2.2 million in restitution. He declined to speak at the sentencing.
In a sentencing submission, Bicher’s attorney argued for leniency, blaming landlords for some of the Manhattan apartment troubles.
In a submission by prosecutors, the government said Bicher fought lawsuits from landlords by falsely claiming he was suffering from coronavirus-related hardships and by lying about his residency and use of the units to benefit from the refuge of tenant protections offered in New York City.
Prosecutors said he was living in Florida during the fraud and traveling for leisure.
They said Bicher bragged to the media and friends that he was the “Wolf of Airbnb” and said the expression was meant to refer to the “Wolf of Wall Street,” the title of a memoir by former stockbroker Jordan Belfort, who made a fortune on penny stocks before blowing much of it on a wild and lavish lifestyle and going to prison for financial crimes.
In a release, Williams noted that Bicher had enjoyed referring to himself as the “Wolf of Airbnb.”
“But as today’s sentence underscores, those who partake in such callous and fraudulent conduct will answer for their crimes, no matter their self-given title,” Williams said.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com.