Queens Squatters Arrested After Bayside Home Takeover Investigation
Two accused squatters moved into a vacant million-dollar home in Bayside, Queens, after the property sat empty for years following the 2018 death of its owner, Richard Klibschon. County leaders and local officials point to a breakdown in municipal oversight. Mandatory reporting laws requiring hospitals, funeral directors, and mortgage lenders to notify the Queens public administrator about the unrepresented estate were completely ignored, allowing the illegal takeover to take root and persist for months.
The 2018 Death That Left a Million-Dollar House Unwatched
Municipal regulations demand an immediate notification protocol to the public administrator’s office when a death occurs without clear local heirs, ensuring the state can step in to safeguard vacant properties.
Gerard Sweeney, an attorney for the Queens public administrator, confirmed that nobody notified their office of Klibschon’s passing. Sweeney explained that while a distant cousin appeared on the death certificate, hospitals and funeral directors routinely fail to alert the public administrator when individuals with only remote relatives are buried. The financial institutions holding Klibschon’s mortgage also neglected to notify the office, leaving the address entirely unmonitored.
Neighbors Circulate Petitions and Bring in Lawmakers
The empty house remained vulnerable for years until neighborhood residents took matters into their own hands. In April, concerned neighbors signed a petition and delivered it directly to their local congressional representative to demand urgent intervention. Representative Tom Suozzi helped secure the official appointment of a public administrator to take legal control of the neglected estate.
Armed with official authority, the public administrator launched legal proceedings to evict the unauthorized occupants.
Media Exposure Triggers Rapid Criminal Probes
Before the civil court proceedings could conclude, community members took further action by contacting local investigative journalists to expose the illegal occupation.
The resulting media coverage caught the attention of the Queens District Attorney, who promptly launched an official investigation. Less than three weeks after the investigative report aired, law enforcement arrested Glass and Taylor. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that the pair possessed no legal right to occupy the residence.
Felony Charges and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Glass and Taylor now face felony charges for the takeover and have been ordered by the court to stay away from the property. Both individuals have entered pleas of not guilty.