Investigators with the Queens District Attorney’s Office were turned away Thursday at a $1 million home in Flushing occupied by squatters who say another tenant was tricked into subletting it.
“I’m not a squatter. I’m renting,” said the man, who declined to give his name. “I paid my rent. I’m not a squatter. Everyone there now pays rent. Yes, to the same landlord. That’s no good.
“People are taking pictures of us and yelling at us,” he said. “We all pay rent. Everyone there pays rent. I don’t want to live with squatters.”
He emerged from his 160th Street home only 20 minutes after two prosecutors knocked on the door multiple times and tried to get in, but were left out in the cold and finally gave up. It was later.
The newspaper reported Wednesday that another sublessor, Kevin Barasty, admitted he was tricked into paying $1,500 to a squatter who called himself “Jay,” and that a real estate agent named David Dubon allegedly brokered the deal. The person reportedly admitted to receiving a $1,000 fee.
“It was unthinkable that something like this would happen,” Barasty said. “I was introduced to it through real estate. This is a great find, thank you very much. And I love the place and I love the neighborhood. But I think I paid $3,500 to the landlord, Jay.”
Jay spoke briefly to the Post, claiming he was “tricked” into living in the house, but did not clarify and has not returned numerous phone calls since then. Mr. Dubon also did not return calls.
The strange conflict began when Adele Andalolo, who lived in the house until her parents’ deaths, discovered that squatters were living there and began preparing the house for sale.
On February 29, she showed up with a local television crew to exchange the locks. However, even though the occupants were unwanted, she had established squatter rights under New York City law, so she was handcuffed by a police officer and served with a summons for unlawful eviction. It was done.
Under the law, anyone who occupies Big Apple property for at least 30 days can assert squatter rights unless the rightful owner goes to court to evict the squatter. It means not to be.
Andaloro did not return calls from The Post, but told WABC-TV News he has hired a lawyer and is working through the process.
It’s unclear why the Queens District Attorney’s Office tried to break into the home Thursday.
A spokesperson said Thursday only that the department does not comment “on ongoing investigations.” Further inquiries were not immediately answered.
