New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the first conviction under New York’s criminal deed theft law. Victor Quimis, 40, of Queens, pleaded guilty today to stealing the home of Renuka Bherwani, an elderly widow who lived in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, while she was receiving end-of-life hospice care in her home. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Quimis and Deepa Roy, 69, of Manhattan, worked together to forge Bherwani’s signature on documents transferring ownership of her home to themselves. Roy and Quimis later forged additional documents in order to transfer ownership of the home to Hunter Studios & Developer Corp. (Hunter Studios), a corporation owned by Quimis. Quimis then obtained a $552,500 mortgage on the property, allowing him to steal over $300,000 after paying off Bherwani’s prior mortgage and liens in his name. Both Roy and Quimis were charged with multiple felonies for their roles in the scheme on August 7, 2025.
Today, Quimis pleaded guilty to two counts of Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Residential Mortgage Fraud in the Second Degree before Judge Leigh Cheng in Queens County Supreme Court. As part of the plea, the deeds will be vacated and Bherwani’s home will be returned to her family. Quimis is due back in court for sentencing on January 15, 2027. Deepa Roy is scheduled to go to trial on February 8, 2027.
“Deed theft is a malicious crime that robs families of their homes, their community, and their financial security,” said Attorney General James. “Victor Quimis preyed on an elderly woman at the end of her life to steal the home she owned for nearly 40 years. As a result of today’s conviction, Victor Quimis will be held accountable, and Mrs. Bherwani’s home will be returned to her family. My office will continue to combat deed theft and keep New Yorkers in their homes.”…