Big developer has a history on ‘worst’ list

THE RAGS-TO-RICHES developer who owns Alma Realty was once a penniless Greek immigrant who now controls a massive real estate portfolio — and donates to Mayor de Blasio.

Efstathios (Steve) Valiotis, 70, came to Queens more than 40 years ago and started working as a dishwasher. He now owns and manages more than 120 buildings and 6,000 apartments in New York alone — and more in New Jersey.

Valiotis has also wound up on the city’s “Worst Landlords” list, most recently in 2016 when Public Advocate Letitia James put him at No. 3.

In 2015, Valiotis got in trouble with Con Ed for having illegal gas hook ups in eight apartment buildings in the Bronx and Harlem — all of them managed by Alma Realty. The developer at the time said his company was unaware of the illegal hookups and was working with Con Ed to get them fixed.

In February 2016, five Alma properties — in Harlem and the Bronx — were put into a city program meant to force repairs in the 200 worst-run residential buildings in the city. Valiotis said he would make all the necessary fixes.

The real estate mogul (photo) has also been a supporter of the mayor since 2013. Alma officials put $5,525 into de Blasio’s first mayoral campaign. He also donated $5,000 to the mayor’s defunct Campaign for One New York.

Valiotis (photo inset) has also been hit with wage violation lawsuits.

In April 2016, Valiotis and one of his Alma affiliates agreed to settle a federal wage theft lawsuit filed by workers Luis Luna and Jose Francisco Reyes.

Luna and Reyes said they worked for the Valiotis’ affiliate doing cleaning and maintenance work but were initially paid less than minimum wage and were never paid overtime.

In 2014, Alma agreed to pay $22,500 to settle charges they stiffed worker Christian Moreno on overtime pay and other wages after he filed a lawsuit.

Valiotis said violations at his new Manhattan and Bronx properties were reduced by 80% after he assumed ownership.

“I have renovated them extensively ... installing new building systems, repairing and rehabilitating roofs and facades and making countless other improvements,” he said. “Properties such as these continue to be a vital part of the city’s affordable housing stock and ... I remain committed to working with anyone to continue to improve all outstanding building conditions and provide safe and quality housing to all tenants.”