A man accused of squatting a $2 million mansion on Long Island is said to have “done it before” in other states.
Brett Flores, 32, is currently embroiled in a months-long eviction battle with homebuyers Joseph and Susana Landa, both 68, who bought the property to live with their disabled son.
The Landas bought the $2 million home in October before coming to the “nightmare” realization that Flores refused to leave, claiming he had the legal right to live there.
Speaking to Fox News, the couple said that an anonymous individual presented them with information indicating that Flores had “done this before” in homes in Ohio And California.
Joseph Landa told the newspaper: “He really knows the system and knows how to get through it on his own, without a lawyer, and living without rent, renting out rooms, generating income and destroying.”
A man accused of squatting a $2 million mansion on Long Island is said to have ‘done it before’ in other states
Joseph and Susana Landa, both 68, who bought the property to live with their disabled son
But they are embroiled in a months-long eviction battle with “squatter” Brett Flores, 32,
The couple says they have received evidence suggesting Flores pulled similar stunts in Ohio and California
According to the Landas’ attorney, Anthony Mordente, Flores told the couple he would vacate the property once he paid more than $100,000.
Susana added, “We were ready to suck it up, but when we saw his criminal record and met someone who gave us an overview of his past actions, we really started to get scared.”
After this interaction, they decided to hire a security guard to monitor the premises.
Susana added: “The money is on the table. We presented the money in court with our lawyer before a judge, and he said “not enough”.
“So the money is there, and that’s fine, painful, and I know what we’re dealing with: a house being completely torn apart.”
The Landas say Flores flooded the backyard after a cesspool on the property became clogged.
The family had to demolish the back porch that ran along the side of the house.
The Landas say they bought the Long Island home because their family knew the neighborhood well and had relatives nearby who could help their disabled son Alex if something happened to them.
According to the Landas’ attorney, Anthony Mordente, Flores told the couple he would vacate the property once he paid more than $100,000.
They claim he allowed the mansion to fall into disrepair, as evidenced by photos from DailyMail.com
The couple bought the house as a retirement spot for them and their son Alex (left), who has Down syndrome
But they have been unable to move into the mansion for more than four months, with Flores filing for bankruptcy to delay the process while claiming the former owner, Bernie Fernandez, left it to him when he died.
His lawyer confirmed that he was a live-in caregiver for Fernandez who worked “around the clock” but did not work for an agency and had found the role himself.
Amid the ongoing delays, the Landa house has fallen into disrepair, as exclusive images showed this week.
Scattered white paint is left on several doors, windows and even security cameras.
The Landas say they are forced to foot the bill for thousands of dollars in utilities and bills, while Flores lives rent-free with windows wide open despite a cold breeze gripping New York this week.
A note Flores allegedly left on the door of the home stated that the new owners “do not have my permission to enter,” and that their attempts to contact him “would be interpreted as harassment.”
Although the house has fallen into disrepair as the Landas are still unable to move in, the Landas also claim that Flores advertised rooms in their upcoming home on rental sites.
In the online listings, which appear to have been deleted, Flores advertised “The Prince Room” for $50 a night for men, women, couples, families or students looking for a place to stay.
The Landas say Flores flooded the backyard after a cesspool on the property became clogged
Scattered white paint is left on several doors, windows and even security cameras.
In fact, his rental services had generated three reviews, indicating that Flores had been able to host paying tenants in the Landa’s home.
On Friday, an attorney representing Flores claimed his client had been “misrepresented.”
Dennis O’Connell said: ‘There is definitely more to it… the buyers are not the victims they claim to be.’
On Saturday, O’Connell also said Flores has a newborn child who is suffering from lung disease.
It is still unclear whether the child lives with him.
Although no one in the area had anything to say about Flores, an elderly couple told DailyMail.com on Friday that former owner “Bernie” Fernandez was the “sweetest man and nicest person.”
They said he was known to be living with a friend at the mansion, named only James, but they had been “on and off for years.”
“Bernie had a lot of money,” they said, noting that he made his millions in Florida and was known for selling luxury watches like Rolex.
The couple decided to hire a security guard to monitor the premises after a ‘terrifying’ interaction with Flores
“He was the kindest and most beautiful person you would ever meet,” they said. “Bernie had a good heart, as sweet as could be.”
They said they had only met Flores once when he was working on the estate and felt he was “probably taking advantage of the situation.”
Carmen, who has lived in the area for 21 years and lives a few blocks away, was surprised that this is “the house” making headlines in her neighborhood.
‘Wow! This is the famous house. I can’t believe it,” she told DailyMail.com
as she stood in front of the house during her Friday morning walk looking… ‘I recognize the house.’
‘I walk very often. I know he’s sold, but when I walk past the house it’s always very quiet.’
De Landas and Flores are expected in court later next month as the case progresses.