Current:Home > News'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains. -NextLevel Wealth Academy
'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:36:09
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! (431)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Consider a charitable gift annuity this holiday. It's a gift that also pays you income.
- Father of slain 6-year-old Palestinian American boy files wrongful death lawsuit
- Recordings show how the Mormon church protects itself from child sex abuse claims
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal with debt
- Wisconsin city files lawsuit against 'forever chemical' makers amid groundwater contamination
- Former US ambassador arrested in Florida, accused of serving as an agent of Cuba, AP source says
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Opening arguments begin in Jonathan Majors trial
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- The Best Pet Christmas Sweaters to Get Your Furry Friend in the Holiday Spirit
- Woman, 65, receives bloodless heart transplant, respecting her Jehovah's Witness beliefs
- Purdue Pharma, Sacklers' OxyContin settlement lands at the Supreme Court
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Peruvian rainforest defender killed returning from environmental workshop
- 2024 NFL draft first-round order: Bears fans left to root for Panthers' opponents
- Paris stabbing attack which leaves 1 dead investigated as terrorism; suspect arrested
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix Shares Guest Star Jesse Montana Has Been Diagnosed With Brain Tumor
Smackdown by 49ers should serve as major reality check for Eagles
The World Food Program will end its main assistance program in Syria in January, affecting millions
Sam Taylor
Deebo Samuel backs up trash talk with dominant outing in 49ers' romp against Eagles
Takeaways from The AP’s investigation into the Mormon church’s handling of sex abuse cases
Pakistan arrests 17 suspects in connection to the weekend bus shooting that killed 10