A couple, Denton Gayle and Margaret Grover, who were accused of squatting in a home they don’t own, have now filed paperwork in Nassau Supreme Court requesting to be declared as “heirs” to the property, 39 Brussel Dr. in New Hyde Park. The property has been in foreclosure for over a decade and remained abandoned after all members of the previous owners’ family, the Iaconos, passed away between 2015 and 2018. Gayle and Grover are not related to the Iacono family, but they are seeking legal rights to the home.
The couple claimed to believe that all mortgages on the property have been satisfied and requested to be added as parties to the foreclosure proceeding. However, lawyers for US National Bank Association, the entity trying to complete the foreclosure, quickly dismissed the couple’s claims by stating that the lease they presented was fraudulent as it had the signature of Edward Iacono, who had passed away in 2016. An eviction order against Gayle and Grover is pending, with a housing court judge having ordered them to vacate the premises last month.
Despite being accused of squatting and facing eviction, Gayle and Grover maintain that they had signed a valid rent-to-own lease with a man they believed to be Edward Iacono in July. Their attorney, William Igbokwe, stated that they are not trying to manipulate the system or seek anything unfair but are simply requesting to add their voice and testimony to the court record as the legal proceedings continue to determine what happened and the next steps.
The request by Gayle and Grover to be declared as heirs to the property was met with skepticism as legal heirs are typically related to the deceased property owner. The house in question has been described as a “zombie” property, having been in foreclosure for a significant period with no resolution. The fact that the couple attempting to claim ownership are not related to the original owners has raised doubts about the legitimacy of their claims.
The situation involving Gayle and Grover and the disputed property has been ongoing for several months, with conflicting claims and legal battles intensifying. The couple had initially alleged that Edward Iacono had rented them the home and then locked them out, leading to a court decision allowing them to stay temporarily in the residence. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the lease they presented was invalid, as it bore the signature of a deceased individual.
Despite the legal challenges and pending eviction, Gayle and Grover continue to assert their belief in the validity of the rent-to-own agreement they signed with Edward Iacono. They have expressed a desire to present their side of the story in court and participate in the ongoing legal process to determine the rightful ownership of the property. The complex and contentious nature of the case, involving accusations of squatting, fraudulent claims, and disputed leases, has captured public attention and raised questions about the integrity of the legal system in handling such disputes.
