Queens, NY – A vacant million‑dollar home in the Bayside neighborhood became the center of a legal showdown after two individuals moved in without any legal right to do so. The incident has highlighted a city law that local officials say was not followed, potentially preventing the squatters from ever entering the property.

Background on the empty estate

When Richard Klibschon died in 2018, he left no spouse, children, or immediate heirs. His property sat empty for years. “Nobody told us,” said Gerard Sweeney, the attorney for the Queens public administrator, the office that steps in to manage estates when no one else can.

Sweeney explained that New York City law requires a death to be reported to the public administrator when there are no immediate heirs. In Klibschon’s case, a “cousin” was listed on the death certificate, but hospitals and funeral directors are also obligated to notify the public administrator of such deaths. “If they notified us, we would be able to act, but they don’t notify us,” Sweeney said.

Failure to notify banks and officials

The banks holding Klibschon’s mortgage also failed to alert the public administrator. Concerned neighbors eventually petitioned their congressional representative, Tom Suozzi, who helped secure the appointment of a public administrator to the estate.

“The public administrator was responsible for this house, so we had to get them involved,” Suozzi said.

Legal action and arrest

The public administrator began eviction proceedings against Vernon Glass and Lusascha Taylor, the alleged squatters. Before the case could proceed, the Queens District Attorney’s Office launched its own investigation after a local news investigation aired. Within three weeks of the broadcast, Glass and Taylor were arrested.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, “They did not have a legal right to be there.” Both individuals now face felony charges and have been ordered not to return to the property. They have each entered not‑guilty pleas.

What the law requires

The city statute in question is designed to protect vacant homes from unauthorized occupation by ensuring that a public administrator is promptly notified of a death with no clear heirs. Prompt notification would allow the administrator to secure the property, manage the estate, and prevent unlawful entry.

Local officials argue that stricter adherence to this law could safeguard other empty homes and reduce the need for costly legal battles.

Community response

Neighbors expressed relief that the squatters were removed and called for better enforcement of the notification requirement. They hope the case will prompt hospitals, funeral homes, and lenders to follow the law more closely, protecting vacant properties and preserving neighborhood stability.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.