[pierrem15]

The buildings were already part of a Federal bankruptcy proceeding and Mamdani just thought the city could walz in and force a sale of the properties to the city at a huge discount.

Unsurprisingly, the Federal judge said "no," since the law privileges the existing creditors and not the city's made-up fines.

[circlecity]

The bankruptcy (bk) courts are their own little world and have enormous power. They also defend their turf zealously. Don’t ever think you are going to waltz in to bk court and tell them what to do.