Boruch Drillman did what most New Yorkers do when they run into trouble with the law: He moved to South Florida.
In December 2023, Drillman pleaded guilty for his role in a $165 million mortgage fraud scheme and now faces up to five years in prison. Two days after his plea, he was off to Bal Harbor, renting a $10,500-a-month condo.
But Drillman’s old habits didn’t end in Florida. Since moving to Bal Harbor, Drillman has been ripping cigs around the clock in his two-bedroom condo and the adjoining balcony, and his neighbors complained to management. Residents even caught him spraying air freshener in the hallways to cover his tracks.
Now, the owner of his rental and the association is seeking to evict him, according to lawsuits filed against Drillman in Miami-Dade County.
But Boruch “Chimney Stacks” Drillman won’t back down. He is still living in the unit and chiefing stogies, according to the lawsuits.
Drillman’s issues with his neighbors at the Majestic Tower Condo tower date back to January. The management office emailed Drillman, reminding him of the building’s strict no smoking policy.
Drillman’s neighbor alleged the smoking smell filled the entire hallway. Another claimed it infiltrated his entire unit. One resident suggested Drillman propped paper in the hallway’s door to keep it open so the tobacco scent would dissipate.
Drillman, an admitted nicotine addict, responded to management’s initial email as though he was unaware of the situation.
“I will investigate and get back,” Drillman said in January.
He then asked, “Is smoking not allowed on the balcony?”
The management responded with a stern warning, which ultimately led the association to seek to terminate Drillman’s lease, which is set to expire in December. He will likely lose his $21,000 deposit.
Drillman did not respond to a request for comment, in which this reporter would have asked why he did not just switch from cigarettes to odorless vapes.
This is not the only time Drillman’s vice has gotten him in trouble. Drillman once showed up to a video deposition for a civil lawsuit in Miami-Dade County smoking a cigarette. The opposing attorney, Matthew Savino, asked Drillman to stop smoking.
Later, Drillman interrupted to ask for an exception to the prohibition on lighting up during questioning. “We can bring it in front of the Judge whether the witness can smoke during the deposition,” Savino answered.
Drillman’s addiction is the least of his problems.
The real estate investor was the first to plead guilty to a mortgage fraud scheme where Drillman and his co-conspirators flipped properties to themselves using either stolen identities or straw buyers. The scheme allowed the investors to obtain larger loans than they otherwise would have been able to get.
Two of Drillman’s co-conspirators have pleaded guilty. Separately, an Ohio court recommended in May that Drillman and his ownership group of a Columbus, Ohio, apartment complex pay $20 million for violating Ohio’s asbestos laws, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
But Drillman is still on the grind. His LinkedIn says he is hiring. About four months ago, his company posted a role for an executive assistant position. Job requirements include handling confidential information and coordinating meetings. There was no mention of tolerance for tobacco smoke.
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