Current:Home > Scams'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains. -TrueNorth Finance Path
'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:11:05
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 sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (645)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Summer 2023 ends: Hotter summers are coming and could bring outdoor work bans, bumpy roads
- Researchers discover attempt to infect leading Egyptian opposition politician with Predator spyware
- Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess Are Engaged: You’ll Be Dancing Over Her Stunning Diamond Ring
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Norovirus in the wilderness? How an outbreak spread on the Pacific Crest Trail
- Oklahoma judge arrested in Austin, Texas, accused of shooting parked cars, rear-ending another
- Many states are expanding their Medicaid programs to provide dental care to their poorest residents
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Free babysitting on Broadway? This nonprofit helps parents get to the theater
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Niger’s junta accuses United Nations chief of blocking its participation at General Assembly
- Salt water intrusion in Mississippi River could impact drinking water in Louisiana
- Back in full force, UN General Assembly shows how the most important diplomatic work is face to face
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- 5 dead as train strikes SUV in Florida, sheriff says
- Horoscopes Today, September 22, 2023
- 'We still haven't heard': Family of student body-slammed by officer says school never reached out
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Nic Kerdiles, Savannah Chrisley's Ex, Dead at 29 After Motorcycle Crash
FBI launches probe into police department over abuse allegations
Auto workers still have room to expand their strike against car makers. But they also face risks
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
How will the Top 25 clashes shake out? Bold predictions for Week 4 in college football
Bribery case against Sen. Menendez shines light on powerful NJ developer accused of corruption
New Jersey house explosion hospitalizes 5 people, police say