Morris Katz, a 27-year-old political strategist known for his work with progressive politicians, is accused of failing to pay rent for months on a Brooklyn apartment and leaving the property in disarray.
Katz allegedly accumulated $14,000 in unpaid rent during his six-month lease of a top-floor duplex in Williamsburg. According to sources familiar with the situation, he missed multiple rent payments and his checks bounced during his tenancy, which began in November.
Felix Barbosa, the building's superintendent, told The Post that Katz "stiffed his landlord for months" and "left the pad in shambles." Barbosa described Katz as someone who "doesn’t have his priorities in order," adding that he also owed money to utility companies.
Katz, who co-founded the consulting group The Fight Agency, played a significant role in the successful campaign of Zohran Mamdani, a socialist mayor. He also advised several congressional candidates in New York's June Democratic primaries and a former Maine Senate hopeful. During his time advising the Maine campaign, Katz was reportedly involved in controversy after allegedly threatening a whistleblowing former staffer.
According to building representatives, Katz was late on rent for the first three months of his lease, which required $6,500 per month. He eventually stopped paying altogether, they claim.
The full payment of $14,000 was reportedly made on April 30, when Katz was scheduled to move out. This payment was made after an initial check bounced, and sources described the process of collecting the rent as difficult.
After vacating the apartment, Katz allegedly left it in poor condition for weeks. Photos obtained by The Post showed a stocked bar cart, a cluttered closet, discarded furniture, and a refrigerator filled with takeout containers and leftovers.
The apartment was not fully cleared out until early June, according to sources.
When reached for comment, Katz did not dispute the claims but stated he remained in communication with the landlord. A spokesperson for The Fight Agency issued a statement on Katz's behalf, attributing the payment issues to a "snafu involving a new bank" and stating that his family helped him settle the balance in full. The statement also noted that Katz cleared out his remaining belongings after returning from a work trip.
Katz comes from a prominent family; his father is screenwriter and TV producer David Bar Katz, and his mother is children's book author Julie Merberg. His godfather was the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. His upbringing is described as similar to that of Mayor Mamdani, whose parents are also well-established in their respective fields.
The incident involving Katz occurs amidst broader scrutiny of individuals associated with the mayor's office regarding their interactions with landlords. The administration has reportedly prioritized initiatives targeting landlords perceived as "bad actors" and encouraging tenant participation in rent-related board meetings.