Prosecutors claim that Eliyahu Ezagui is a thief who took $2.6 million from condominium buyers and more than $10 million from banks, but the Brooklyn developer says he was G-d sent. According to his lawyer, Ezagui received "a blessing" from deceased Rabbi Schneerson before committing his subprime mortgage fraud. "It was a mitzvah to him, a Hebrew word that means a good deed and an obligation," said the defense lawyer in her opening statement.
Ezagui is accused of selling pre-construction condos to 40 families in Crown Heights's Lubavitcher community, but never handing over the deeds, reports the Daily News. Victims say he lulled them into a false sense of security promising he "had the blessing of the grand rabbi," but once building was completed, he took out mortgages and split for Israel. Since he didn't make payments on the houses, many of the families face eviction and investors who fronted money lost out too.
Part of Ezagui's defense is that Rabbi Schneerson—whose grave is visited by thousands of Hasidim even 15 years after his death—approved the project to build affordable housing for the community. His lawyer claims that investors are just trying to recoup the money they lost through the criminal justice system. On CrownHeights.com many voiced their support for the maligned developer. "Eliyahu is a great person who helps people and families. We must show our support by sending in donations," wrote Didan Notzach. But in court at least one victim seemed baffled and hurt by what had transpired. "I thought Ezagui was a good man and I still think he's a good man, but I trusted that whatever I signed was not going to hurt me," said Tova Eilenberg, who bought two apartments on Lefferts Avenue.
