FiDi condo owner faces jail for renting out home

A Russian investment analyst could face jail time for allegedly illegally renting out her swank Art Deco-style Financial District condo, according to court papers spotted by the New York Post. The accused, Sophie Grishanova, a Columbia University graduate working for Privet Capital, has only 20 days to pay a $3,500 contempt fine and possibly an additional $15,000 attorneys’ fee, subject to court approval, or face incarceration. 

The condo board originally told Grishanova to stop using her home in the South Star at 80 John Street, which she purchased in 2011, as a hotel last fall, but she is accused of ignoring the orders, with her fiancée Kevin Harrison sending the board’s president taunting emails.

Harrison wrote to the condo board president, Patrick Kennell, claiming that he comes “from a long line of lawyers in the NYC area” and promises to “reach out to friends and family at the DA’s office,” the Post reported, citing court records. Kennell, an attorney, replied, “We don’t know who you are and don’t care.” That is when Harrison replied, “Are you f—ing kidding me? Game on jackass.”

“The court gave her every opportunity to be heard, but Grishanova didn’t even bother showing up to her own contempt hearing,” the board’s attorney, Steven Sladkus told the Post. [NYP] —Christopher Cameron