NYC Burger King is slapped with $15million lawsuit after it is turned into an 'open air drug bazaar' by dealers and users

A Burger King in New York City has been slapped with a $15million lawsuit over allegations the fast food restaurant has turned into an 'open air drug bazaar.' 

The restaurant, located at 106 Fulton Street in the Financial District, was sued by long-time resident and filmmaker Kevin Kaufman, 69, who has branded the street 'a neighborhood in crisis.' 

According to the lawsuit, obtained by the New York Post, Kaufman has targeted that location and Burger King's cooperate office, accusing them of violating the state's private nuisance law.

Lawlessness is common at the site with pictures of drug users and videos of fights posted online. 

Kaufman has asked the court to order the location to 'stop terrorizing and turning Fulton Street' and has targeted the restaurant's franchisee, Lalmir Sultanzada, 66.

'He doesn't take responsibility, he throws it on the lap of the cops instead of hiring security himself and policing his own store,' Kaufman said. 

The Burger King located at 106 Fulton Street in the Financial District was sued by long-time resident and filmmaker Kevin Kaufman, 69, who said the restaurant is acting as an 'open air drug bazaar' 

According to the NYPD, since January 1, 2023, there have been 143 calls made to 911 related to the Burger King. Pictured: People gathered outside the fast-food eatery in October

The eight to ten 'professional drug dealers' have set up their 'base of operation' both inside the Burger King and outside of the entrance, the lawsuit said. 

The enraged filmmaker added that because of the 'idiotic' and lax bail reform laws in the Big Apple, cops have handcuffed those involved, but 'they are back within 24 hours.' 

Although he does not agree with the system in place, Kaufman said the NYPD officers are the 'only ones that seem to be responsive and listening.'  

The phone went unanswered when DailyMail.com contacted the restaurant.

A spokesperson from Burger King's cooperate office told DailyMail.com: 'While we do not comment on active litigation, we are in touch with the Franchisee of this location to determine the best course of action to address this situation with the support of local law enforcement.' 

According to the NYPD,  since January 1, 2023, there have been 143 calls made to 911 related to this specific Burger King. The exact nature of the calls remains unclear. 

The New York Post reported this week alone, there were numerous encounters inside and outside of the fast food restaurant. 

On Tuesday, the outlet said a group of eight women and men were seen outside of the door and 'blocked the restaurant's entry for hours.' 

One man in the group was seen grabbing cash before he pocketed it just before he swiftly handed something off in exchange, the New York Post reported. 

Other individuals were seen openly drinking outside of the Burger King, smoking marijuana, having 'meetings' inside while customers ate and 'shadow boxing.'

Another resident who has lived on Fulton Street for 15 years and asked to remain anonymous said: 'This is around the corner from the mayor, his office is right there, and it's like "Dude, clean up your neighborhood.' 

Franchisee Lalmir Sultanzada said that it is out of his control and up to law enforcement to stop

In a video posted to X by Fulton St Coalition on January 4, a fight between two people erupted as a person was forcefully shoved into the the street as cars drove past

Mayor Eric Adams' office is located just blocks away from the troubled restaurant on Broadway. 

Another worried local, who also preferred to stay anonymous said: 'How is this Burger King staying in business and why isn’t it doing anything about it?' 

'The people that scare me are the people this crowd attracts. They’re not mentally safe. . . . There are hours of the night where we no longer feel safe walking our dog. That’s a problem.'

He added in the midst of all the people 'clearly f***** up on drugs,' approximately once a month the homeless population hanging around the restaurant engage in 'an absolute terrorizing screaming match.'

In a video posted to X by Fulton St Coalition on January 4, a fight between two people erupted as a person was forcefully shoved into the the street as cars drove past. 

'Totally agree this city is a mess and Fulton Street in NYC has now full gangs that have taken over the streets,' the post said. 

'Open drug dealing and harassment of community members. @BurgerKing is housing the gangs and getting cut.' 

Kaufam has made it clear that a majority of his anger is directed at Sultanzada, a franchisee who also runs other fast food restaurants such as Dunkin' Donuts and Popeye's in the city and in Long Island. 

In response to the uptick in crime at his restaurant, Sultanzada said that he has also fallen victim. 

Since 2023, there have been more than 600 NYPD patrols and visits to that block and the department has labeled it a 'constant focus for the First Precinct' 

'They're hanging around, they throw everything inside the stores. A couple of time they hit one of my managers,' he said. 

'We've got the same problem all over: 125th Street, same problem; 166th Street, same problem; go to the Bronx, same problem.' 

In terms of taking blame for the rampant crime on Fulton Street, Sultanzada said that it is out of his control and up to law enforcement to stop. 

'They have to find a solution for those bums, not me,' he said. 

Since 2023, there have been more than 600 NYPD patrols and visits to that block and the department has labeled it a 'constant focus for the First Precinct.' 

According to NYPD data, major crimes in the area, including Fulton Center and Burger King, have increased by 2.4 percent this year, along with a 14 percent rise in felony assaults, a seven percent increase in petty larcenies and a 52 percent uptick in burglaries.