New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest and indictment of Mark Salkey, 58, of Queens, for stealing the home of Althea Garrick, an elderly woman living in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, while she was receiving dementia care in her home. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that between 2022 and 2024, Salkey forged documents to transfer ownership of Ms. Garrick’s home to himself and allowed unauthorized people to move into the home, requiring some to pay rent to his company. In addition to stealing the home, Salkey stole approximately $148,000 from Ms. Garrick and approximately $20,000 from her ex-husband’s pension. Salkey was charged with 23 crimes for his deed theft and financial fraud scheme.
“Mark Salkey took advantage of an elderly woman suffering from advanced dementia and stole the home she has owned and lived in for 47 years,” said Attorney General James. “No one deserves to have their home stolen and their bank account drained. Deed theft is a heartless crime, and my office will do everything in our power to return this home to its rightful owner and hold Mark Salkey accountable for his despicable actions.”
In 1976, Ms. Garrick and her husband at the time, Reginald Kelly, purchased 162 East 95th Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. In 1998, following her divorce from Mr. Kelly, Ms. Garrick became the sole owner of the property. In 2022, Salkey was introduced to Ms. Garrick, and between 2022 and 2024, he allegedly used forged documents, including a forged deed, to modify the terms of her mortgage and steal her home and savings. Salkey transferred ownership of the property from Ms. Garrick to his company, Salkey Salkey & Associate, Inc. Once he gave himself ownership of the property, Salkey allowed several other tenants, including his sister, to move into the home and pay rent to him, while Ms. Garrick and Mr. Kelly have been forced to live in just a small bedroom in their own home. Salkey charges the tenants a monthly rent between $2,000 to $2,200, and in total, he has collected approximately $70,000 in rent. When the property was stolen in 2023, it was worth approximately $950,000. The property is now worth over $1 million. …