A New York City council member launched an investigation Monday into the Kushner Cos.' routine filing of paperwork falsely claiming zero rent-regulated tenants in its buildings, saying that the deception should have been uncovered long ago because the documents are online for all to see.

Councilman Ritchie Torres said the city's buildings department should have spotted the wrong numbers because they were contradicted by tax documents filed with another city agency.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that a tenants' rights watchdog found that the Kushner Cos. had filed more than 80 construction permit applications for 34 buildings across the city between 2013 and 2016 saying it had no rent-regulated tenants. But tax documents showed more than 300 rent-regulated units.