A couple, Denton Gayle and Margaret Grover, were evicted from a home in New Hyde Park after allegedly deceiving a judge to gain legal rights to the property, which they did not own. The Nassau County sheriffs changed the locks and removed their belongings, including a large screen TV and a Porsche that they were using. The home had been in foreclosure for ten years and had been abandoned for several years after the previous owners passed away. The couple, along with their toddler son, had moved into the home and allegedly harassed their neighbors, leading to their arrest in October after a 911 call reported squalid living conditions in the house.
Gayle, 29, and Grover, 19, claimed in Nassau Housing Court that they had signed a rent-to-own agreement with the deceased owner, Edward Iacono, in July, even presenting a lease with his “signature.” Judge Christopher Coschignano ruled in their favor, allowing them to remain in the property. However, it was later discovered that Iacono had died in 2016, and his son, Edward Iacono Jr., died in 2018. Neighbors provided death certificates to the court, leading Coschignano to vacate the order after the couple failed to provide proof of their claims. They also attempted to be declared “heirs” to the property, further complicating the situation.
The home was deemed unlivable by a Town of North Hempstead building inspector, as it lacked heat, electricity, hot water, and working bathrooms. Despite these conditions, Gayle and Grover continued to argue their case, believing that they had a valid lease with the deceased Edward Iacono. The couple’s lawyer maintained that they were not squatters and were acting in good faith when they moved into the property. However, the eviction ultimately went ahead after they failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims in court.
North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Christine Liu expressed relief at the resolution of the situation, stating that the residents of the community deserved to live in a safe and peaceful environment. She thanked the Sheriff’s Office for carrying out the eviction and assisting in rectifying the troubling issues at the Brussel Drive home. The eviction marked the end of a contentious battle involving deceptive claims, alleged harassment of neighbors, and attempts to gain legal ownership of a property through questionable means. The couple was ultimately removed from the home, their belongings were taken away, and the property was secured, bringing closure to a challenging situation for all parties involved.
