Disgraced attorney-turned-real estate fraudster Sanford Solny is challenging his conviction. Last week, Solny\u2019s legal team filed a notice of appeal to the New York Appellate Division, regarding the verdict in People v. Sanford Solny.<\/p>\n
Solny was convicted in June 2025 of charges including possession of stolen property, three counts of first-degree scheme to defraud, and theft of 11 properties. His sentence of only 2.5 to 7 years in prison had appeared tragically lenient, given that he had disproportionately targeted Black and Brown homeowners in Central Brooklyn and Queens.<\/p>\n
From 2012 to 2022, Solny systematically stole 11 properties in neighborhoods such as Bedford-Stuyvesant, East Flatbush, Canarsie, East New York, and Ocean Hill. Prosecutors said he preyed on homeowners facing foreclosure, posing as a financial adviser and promising to help them sell their homes for less than the amount owed.<\/p>\n
Instead, Solny transferred ownership of the homes to himself or his companies, collecting rent for years while victims lost their homes and equity, and had their credit ruined by unresolved foreclosures.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 12, 2025, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun sentenced Solny to prison and ordered the nullification of the 11 stolen deeds. But Solny was not ordered to return the nearly $500,000 in rent he collected from the stolen homes.<\/p>\n
With their appeal application, Solny\u2019s attorneys now have 120 days to fully submit their appeal of his conviction. The Appellate Division\u2019s decision, issued on Feb. 11, 2026, granted Solny a stay of his judgment, provided he posts substantial bail: an insurance company bond of $1.5 million, a partially secured bond of $2 million with 10% down, or a $300,000 cash alternative. The court imposed strict conditions, including electronic monitoring, home confinement except for essential visits, surrender of all passports, and a waiver of extradition rights should Solny leave the jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
The stay will end 120 days after the order, unless the appeal is argued or submitted, or unless the court extends the order. When it ends, Solny must surrender to serve his sentence, and the order authorizes law enforcement to arrest him if necessary.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez\u2019s office explained, \u201cHe was ordered released to home confinement and ankle monitoring during the pendency of the appeal, if he posts a high bond. He will remain incarcerated for now on the Queens probation violation, so he\u2019s not getting out yet.\u201d The DA\u2019s office emphasized its commitment to the case, stating, \u201cStopping deed fraud is a priority for our office, and that\u2019s why we prosecuted this defendant and obtained the lengthy prison sentence he received. To ensure full accountability and justice for victims, we opposed the defendant\u2019s release to home confinement during the pendency of his appeal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gaoussou Ouedraogo, a homeowner who lost two properties to Solny\u2019s schemes, told the Amsterdam News about his disbelief and frustration: \u201cIt was something fishy going on because even before the [November] sentence, the judge was going to dismiss the case until the people stood up and went against it. It\u2019s something fishy because with the appeal system, they give you 40 days to appeal, or\u2026one month or two months to appeal the case if you disagree with the verdict. So, when they convicted him in June, that\u2019s when he should have appealed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ouedraogo continued, \u201cI\u2019m suing anybody who is on the case because it\u2019s fishy. Somebody has to investigate this case. Even the restitution that they didn\u2019t collect from him, they keep that money. It\u2019s fishy. There\u2019s something going on.\u201d<\/p>\n