IMG SOURCE: nypost.com
In an unexpected and rather audacious move, a couple living in an abandoned property on Long Island, New York, have sought legal designation as the “heirs” to the home. The pair, known for driving a Porsche, have been branded as squatters by the local community. Their recent legal maneuver, however, suggests an attempt to legitimize their occupancy in the eyes of the law.
The property in question, a two-story Cape Cod-style home, has sat empty for over a decade. The Iacono family, the original owners, passed away between 2015 and 2018, leaving the house unoccupied.
Over time, the property fell into a state of disrepair, becoming what is often referred to as a “zombie” home – a property in foreclosure that is vacant, causing blight to the neighborhood.
Enter Denton Gayle and Margaret Grover, who have taken up residence in the vacant home. The pair have been accused of tricking a judge into granting them legal rights to the property, despite not being the rightful owners.
In a move that has shocked the community, Gayle and Grover recently filed paperwork in Nassau Supreme Court, requesting that they be recognized as “heirs” to the property. This would effectively grant them legal ownership of the home.
A legal heir is typically related to a person in some way.
However, Gayle and Grover have no familial ties to the Iacono family.
The squatters have maintained that they believed all mortgages on the home had been satisfied. They even claimed to have a “rent to own” agreement with Edward Iacono, one of the deceased owners of the property. They presented a lease, purportedly signed by Iacono, to validate their claim.
However, the bank’s lawyers challenged this claim, stating:
“A review of this ‘lease’ shows that it was purportedly executed by Mr. Iacono on or about June 1, 2023. However, Mr. Iacono has been deceased since 2016. A copy of the death certificate is enclosed herewith. As such, it is clear the proffered lease is fraudulent and is not valid.”
Following the squatters’ dubious claims, an eviction order against Gayle and Grover is currently pending. The order was issued by Nassau Housing Court Judge Christopher Coschignano last month.
Despite this, the couple have remained defiant, with their lawyer arguing that they are not squatters but believed they had signed a valid lease.
This unusual story continues to unfold, with the legal battle likely to continue. The squatters’ daring attempt to be recognized as “heirs” to the property has certainly raised eyebrows and highlighted the complex issues surrounding “zombie” homes and property rights.
What’s clear is that this is far from a typical squatter situation. As the court attempts to unravel the truth, this case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to in order to stake a claim on a piece of property.
