Newspaper 'Steals' Empire State Building in Just 90 Minutes

foxnews ^ | Wednesday, December 03, 2008

[JoeProBono]

In what has been described as one of the biggest heists in American history, the Empire State Building was reportedly stolen this week by a New York City newspaper in less than 90 minutes.

The New York Daily News drew up fake documents, created a bogus notary stamp and filed paperwork with the city and successfully took ownership of the $2 billion property on Monday.

[JoeProBono]

The heist illustrates what it descibes as a gaping loophole in the city system that doesn't require clerks to actually verify information.

The office of the city register, upon receipt of the phony documents prepared by the newspaper, transferred ownership of the 102-story building from Empire State Land Associates to Nelots Properties, LLC. Nelots is "stolen" spelled backward.

To further enhance the absurdity of the heist, included on the bogus paperwork were original "King Kong" star Fay Wray as witness and Willie Sutton, the notorious bank robber, as the notary.

"Of course, stealing the Empire State Building wouldn't go unnoticed for long, but it shows how easy it is for con artists to swipe more modest buildings right out from under their owners," the paper concluded.

Nearly 24 hours after the fake deed was filed, the newspaper returned the building to its rightful owners.

The Daily News says it will not report all elements of how the scam works.

"Crooks go where the money is. That's why Willie Sutton robbed banks, and this is the new bank robbery," Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell told the Daily News.

[max americana]

I have a feeling that Obama will ask for their services on doctoring a new birth certificate.

[Netizen]

Yeah, I thought it had some tie in with his bc, too. :)

[JoeProBono]

I signed for it. It's MINE!

[Carley]

Too bad they couldn’t steal the entire state and take NJ too.

Good riddance.

[lowbridge]

Scammer stole his Brooklyn church

[SkyPilot]

Too bad they couldn’t steal the entire state and take NJ too.

Oh stop. I have lived all over the world.

I could post negative comments about any state, including the pet food rendering plants in any of the states and condemn them - but that is just one facet of one place.

New Jersey politics suck, but not the whole state - and their are Christians and God's beauty here - so apologize and lay off.

[SkyPilot]

their = there

[JoeProBono]

Fay Ray

[gridlock]

We have enough problems in New Jersey without idiots thinking it might be a nice place to live, so give Carley a break!

[1_Rain_Drop]

I think this is a perfect illustration to show how closely a BC must be inspected.

Also, the timing to teach this lesson is perfect considering Dec 5 is about 48 hours away.

[SkyPilot]

We have enough problems in New Jersey without idiots thinking it might be a nice place to live

You can tell everyone in my church who donated their time to feed the poor this Thanksgiving that they are all "idiots" and the homes where they love and raise their families are lousy.

NJ property taxes are bad. The politicians are bad. But not the state in toto - and to say so makes whoever says so look like an "idiot."

[JoeProBono]

[lowbridge]

New Jersey politics suck, but not the whole state - and their are Christians and God's beauty here

Besides which, making fun of New Jersey is the job of us New Yorkers. ;-)

[Carley]

The soprano’s state has a well deserved reputation

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

What reputation?

[EngineDad]

Sky Pilot,

Is that the old mill in Clinton? It looks familiar. I used to fish there as a kid.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Let’s see how that deed stands up when challenged in court.

[gridlock]

I think you are misunderstanding my first post. I neglected to include the sarcasm tag, which is always a mistake.

I love my little town in New Jersey. Expenses are high, but salaries are high, too. I can live modestly here, and retire and live like a king someplace else, on the excess money I made while “suffering” in New Jersey.