180.57 - Rent gouging in the first degree.

§ 180.57 Rent gouging in the first degree.    A  person  is  guilty of rent gouging in the first degree when, in the  course of a scheme constituting a systematic ongoing course  of  conduct  in connection with the leasing, rental or use of three or more apartment  units, the rental price of which is regulated pursuant to the provisions  of federal, state or local law, he solicits, accepts or agrees to accept  from   one   or   more  persons  in  three  separate  transactions  some  consideration of value, knowing that such consideration is  in  addition  to  lawful  rental  and other lawful charges established pursuant to the  provisions of such federal, state or local law, and upon an agreement or  understanding that the furnishing of such  consideration  will  increase  the possibility that any person may obtain or renew the lease, rental or  use  of such property, or that a failure to furnish it will decrease the  possibility that any person  may  obtain  or  renew  same,  and  thereby  obtains such consideration from one or more persons.    Rent gouging in the first degree is a class E felony.