Current:Home > Scams'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.
View Date:2024-12-23 20:23:01
A group of squatters have allegedly taken over a house in Los Angeles' Beverly Hills neighborhood and turned it into a "party house," creating a nuisance by disturbing residents in the area.
The listing agent for the property located at Beverly Grove Place, John Woodward IV, told USA TODAY that the alleged squatters moved into the house in late October and have been living there since. Woodward says that he was appointed by the Los Angeles County Criminal Court to sell the property.
Woodward said that someone went up to the property with a locksmith and changed the locks and code of the huge private gate illegally and then leased it out to several other people. The court-appointed broker said that he called the police as soon as he found out. However, the people in the house produced a "fake lease," to which the police said that it was a "civil matter". The Beverly Hills Police Department said that the location does not come under their jurisdiction and falls under the Los Angeles Police Department, so they cannot comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the LAPD did not immediately respond to USA Today's request for information.
'Squatters' throw wild parties
"The cops have probably been up there no less than 50 times," said Woodward. "They're having crack parties and laughing gas parties and orgies and all sorts of (things) going on up there."
Woodward said that the people living in the mansion have also been renting out rooms, advertising the property as "Beverly Hills Lodge". He said some people have even been arrested from the house on drug and nuisance-related charges, but nothing has deterred its occupants from creating havoc night after night.
"They ran out a rage party every night up there," Woodward said. "Everybody's so upset about the situation."
Squatting in California:Los Angeles Airbnb renter leaves property after 570 days, lawsuits: report
Neighbors fed up
Residents in the neighborhood are miserable with the situation and told ABC News 7 that the squatters have been throwing wild parties, some for which they even charge admission. The local media outlet reported that "condoms and drug paraphernalia" littered the area around the house, located on the border of Beverly Hills and Bel Air.
A resident of the area told ABC7 that the party goers arrive in loud cars, motorcycles and Ubers, often around 2 a.m. in the morning, creating noise and blocking the small one-lane roads.
Fran Solomon, who owns the house next door that she's currently renting out, likened the situation to a "roaming pitbull".
"There's a roaming pit bull with children around," Solomon told ABC7. "There are people drunk and stoned, wobbling, walking in and out, and then driving the canyons. Does someone need to be killed before the police will do something?"
Solomon said that the tenants living in her house have had to hire an armed security guard to protect themselves.
Squatting:Police: Squatters in Nashville arrested, say God told them to stay at million-dollar home
Ownership issues led to alleged squatting
Woodward said that the mess surrounding the sprawling Mediterranean-style estate stem from ownership issues.
The house, which is currently on sale for $4.5 million, was previously owned by an orthopedic surgeon, Munir Uwaydah, who fled to Lebanon after he was accused in the murder and death of 21-year-old model Julianna Redding, with whom he was also reportedly in a relationship with. Uwaydah has also been linked to a health insurance fraud scheme and remains at large, according to a 2015 report by the L.A. Times.
The property, built in 1999, has received multiple offers from prospective buyers, according to Woodward, but the matters regarding its ownership and the ongoing squatter situation have prevented a sale from going through.
Woodward says that he has never seen anything like in his 40+ year career as a broker in Los Angeles.
It is not yet clear who owns the property.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (89532)
Related
- BITFII Introduce
- DeSantis says Florida GOP chair should resign amid rape allegation
- Florida Supreme Court rules police using deadly force not protected by Marsy’s Law
- Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has died at 93
- Voters in Oakland oust Mayor Sheng Thao just 2 years into her term
- 20 years ago, George W. Bush launched AIDS relief and saved lives. US needs to lead again.
- Endless shrimp and other indicators
- Movie armorer in ‘Rust’ fatal shooting pleads not guilty to unrelated gun charge
- Mississippi man charged with shooting 5 people after not being allowed into party
- Israeli military speaks to Bibas family after Hamas claims mom, 2 kids killed in strikes
Ranking
- Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
- Cyprus and Chevron reach a deal to develop an offshore natural gas field, ending years of delays
- Hezbollah and Israeli troops exchange fire along the border as 2 people are killed in Lebanon
- America Ferrera Says It's Ridiculous How Her Body Was Perceived in Hollywood
- Lions find way to win, Bears in tough spot: Best (and worst) from NFL Week 10
- Urban Outfitters' Sale: 50% Off All Hats, Jackets & Sweaters With Cozy Vibes
- What to know about the widening cantaloupe recall over deadly salmonella risks
- Florida Republican Party chair Christian Ziegler accused of rape
Recommendation
-
Jeep slashes 2025 Grand Cherokee prices
-
Returns are so costly for retailers, some are telling customers to keep unwanted goods
-
Red Lobster's cheap endless shrimp offer chewed into its profits
-
Ohio Fails to Pass Restrictions on College Teaching About Climate Policies
-
Crews battle 'rapid spread' conditions against Jennings Creek fire in Northeast
-
Kelly Clarkson's ex Brandon Blackstock ordered to repay her $2.6M for unlawful business deals: Reports
-
Felicity Huffman Breaks Silence on 2019 College Admissions Scandal
-
Iowa court affirms hate crime conviction of man who left anti-gay notes at homes with rainbow flags