Believe me, I understand completely what you are feeling and what you are going through because I used to live in New York. In fact, I lived there all my life. Feeling hopeless and helpless makes people do things they ordinarily would not do.

I wish I could give you the Answer you were hoping for, but even though I may not agree with the law, I have an ethical obligation to give customers truthful and correct Answers to their questions and concerns, so please try not to hold the law applicable to your situation against me. While I understand your reason for understating your income was to be able to save enough money to move to a safer environment, the fact remains that it was understated by $2,200 per month which amounts to $26,400 for each year that you did not include your income. If the amount of rent which each tenant pays is determined by their income, then all income should have been reported. Unfortunately, duress is not a defense because the definition and the defense of duress is being forced by another person to do something against your will. Therefore, you would not be able to rely on duress as a defense. The only thing you can do to correct the situation is to speak to someone in authority at the property management company and tell them you are willing to pay the amount of rent that would have been due if all income had been reported. You will need to do this as soon as possible and clear your name, otherwise neither you, nor your husband will be eligible for similar rent arrangements in a safer neighborhood when such an apartment becomes available. As I said, I wish I could give you the Answer you were hoping for, but there is no such Answer in this situation. So, again I am asking that you respect the honest Answer I gave you and not hold it against me. Please be kind enough to press the "Accept" button so that I may receive credit for assisting you,

Best of Luck and Kindest Regards,