South Fallsburg Legal Dispute Highlights Mounting Tensions Over Local Property Rights
South Fallsburg, NY – A quiet Catskills community is now at the center of a heated legal dispute involving longtime resident Dmitri (Chaim Ben Dovid) Bediner, a Ukrainian-born stroke survivor, and a shell company allegedly connected to a group of Hasidic business figures.
At stake is an 8-unit bungalow colony located at 446 Whitaker Road, a property Bediner has maintained for over 25 years. In 2023, a Sullivan County judge authorized the sale of the property for $970,000. While several offers emerged, parties agreed to proceed with a deal led by Rabbi Goldberger. Bediner tried to buy out his co-owner’s share through a legal right of first refusal, but was drawn into a complex and predatory loan arrangement.
Bediner, still recovering from a stroke and COVID-19, was allegedly manipulated by Rabbi Joshua Glassman into signing a $560,000 interest-only mortgage with monthly payments of approximately $7,000—more than double what the property could earn in a year. The loan was arranged via Glassman’s firm, Preferred Real Estate Management.
Now, Dacha Luxe LLC—formed under controversial circumstances using what legal filings claim was a stolen corporate credit card—is suing Bediner for specific performance. They want full title transferred to their name, claiming they fronted $275,000 for the deal, even though no official documentation proves that amount was paid.
⚖️ Broader Implications
This legal maneuver, though not a formal foreclosure, aims to strip Bediner of ownership while keeping him responsible for the full loan—a scenario critics argue amounts to elder exploitation and attempted real estate theft.
The conflict is drawing attention across the Catskills and beyond, highlighting the intersection of real estate, religious influence, and vulnerable individuals caught in the middle. Community leaders and legal advocates are calling for greater transparency and ethical oversight in real estate practices.
📢 Community Action & Support
Bediner’s supporters have launched a fundraising campaign to help him fight the lawsuit and cover legal expenses. Contributions can be made at:
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