A couple named Denton Gayle and Margaret Grover have filed a request in Nassau Supreme Court to be declared “heirs” to a home at 39 Brussel Dr. in New Hyde Park, which they do not own. The home has been in foreclosure for over a decade and had been abandoned after the death of every member of the Iacono family, who were the original owners. Gayle and Grover are not related to the Iacono family, making their claim unusual. They believe that all mortgages on the property have been satisfied and want to be included in the foreclosure proceeding.
US National Bank Association, the party trying to complete the foreclosure on the property, has rejected Gayle and Grover’s claim, citing the fraudulent lease agreement they presented. The couple claimed to have signed a rent-to-own agreement with Edward Iacono, offering a lease with his signature. However, Iacono passed away in 2016, making the lease invalid. An eviction against Gayle and Grover is pending after Nassau Housing Court ordered them to vacate the property last month.
Despite being accused of duping a judge to gain legal rights to the property, Gayle and Grover maintain that they are not squatters. They assert that they signed a valid rent-to-own lease in July with a man they believed to be Edward Iacono. Their attorney, William Igbokwe, stated that they are not trying to manipulate the system but merely want to have their voice and testimony heard as the courts attempt to determine what truly occurred and the next steps to take in the situation.
The couple’s questionable actions have drawn attention and criticism, with their attempt to be declared “heirs” to a property they do not own raising eyebrows. The situation is made more complex by the fraudulent lease agreement they presented, which was easily debunked by the bank’s lawyers. Despite the legal challenges they face and the pending eviction, Gayle and Grover continue to maintain their claim to the property and their belief in the validity of the rent-to-own agreement they signed with Edward Iacono.
The case brings up questions about inheritance, property rights, and the importance of legal documentation in real estate transactions. Gayle and Grover’s bold move to try to be declared “heirs” to a home they have no familial connection to highlights the lengths some individuals may go to in order to obtain property rights. Their actions have sparked a legal battle and raised the eyebrows of legal professionals and neighbors alike. The outcome of this case will likely have implications for future real estate transactions and legal proceedings involving foreclosed properties.
The ongoing legal saga surrounding Gayle and Grover’s claim to the property at 39 Brussel Dr. serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of due diligence in real estate transactions. Their attempt to circumvent the legal system and claim ownership of a foreclosed property through dubious means has resulted in legal consequences and public scrutiny. As the case continues to unfold in court, the couple’s actions will be closely scrutinized, and the outcome will have lasting implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.