Suspected squatter in $1M NYC home is subletting space in bizarre twist, conned co-resident says

Kevin Sheehan, Jorge Fitz-Gibbon
·4 min read
Suspected squatter in $1M NYC home is subletting space in bizarre twist, conned co-resident says
Suspected squatter in $1M NYC home is subletting space in bizarre twist, conned co-resident says

A suspected squatter who allegedly took over a $1 million Queens home is now subletting space in the house, one of the illegal sub-squatters told The Post on Wednesday.

Kevin Ballasty said he was conned into paying $1,500 a month to live in the basement of the Flushing home, with the deal made with “Jay,” who he identified as the squatter first exposed by WABC-TV.

Ballasty said he brokered the deal through a “realtor” he identified as David Dubon.

Kevin Ballasty says he was conned into subletting from a squatter in a $1 milion Queens home he identified as “Jay.” James Messerschmidt for NY Post
Kevin Ballasty says he was conned into subletting from a squatter in a $1 milion Queens home he identified as “Jay.” James Messerschmidt for NY Post

“There’s nothing in my right mind that could lead me to believe there was going to be a problem like this,” Ballasty said outside the 160th Street property. “David, the real estate guy, who just kind of spoke and is not in the neighborhood, OK? Whether he’s involved in this I don’t have no idea what’s going on.

“But this is my proof to cover my ass,” he said, flashing a written receipt for $1,000. “I was brought in through a real estate. This is a great find, thank you very much. And I love the place. I love the neighborhood. But I guess. I paid $3,500 to the landlord Jay.

“You know and that’s what that says,” Ballasty added. “Cover my ass. I’m out of this venture. OK, I paid rent and I’m not a squatter.”

The Post spoke briefly on the phone with Jay, who claimed he was “scammed” into taking over the house.

“Pretty much we’re just waiting for the lawyer. That’s pretty much it. Like, I was scammed into living there. You know, I’m looking to leave myself,” he said. “That’s what happened.”

He then asked to speak with Ballasty, and was overheard telling him, “Tell them to suck a d–k,” referring to reporters gathered outside the home.

“Walk away from them Kev,” he said. “I don’t know why you talk to these people, bro.”

Ballasty, who said he is one of four tenants who now rent space inside the house, also placed a call to Dubon with The Post listening in. He claimed he paid $4,500 in all, $3,500 to Jay and $1,00 to the broker.

“You in trouble again man?” Dubon answered.

“But this is my proof to cover my ass,” he said, flashing a written receipt for $1,000. James Messerschmidt for NY Post
“But this is my proof to cover my ass,” he said, flashing a written receipt for $1,000. James Messerschmidt for NY Post
Adele Andaloro, 47, was arrested after she changed the locks on the home her parents owned. Under the law, anyone who lives on a property for at least 30 days can claim squatter’s rights and the homeowner can’t change the locks. ABC7
Adele Andaloro, 47, was arrested after she changed the locks on the home her parents owned. Under the law, anyone who lives on a property for at least 30 days can claim squatter’s rights and the homeowner can’t change the locks. ABC7

“They want to know who the real estate company is because I’m going to be locked up because it’s trespassing,” Ballasty told him. “It’s not fair to me I paid the real estate and I was brought into this you know.”

“I’m not here,” Dubon replied. “I’m in Boston. I’m going to Connecticut later today man. How come you don’t call the owner? You always calling me with problems?

“Call Jay right now. I don’t know what is going on,” Dubon added, then hung up.

Adele Andaloro’s parents lived in this Flushing house before they died. When she prepared to sell the home she found out that squatters had moved in — and now she can’t get them out. James Keivom
Adele Andaloro’s parents lived in this Flushing house before they died. When she prepared to sell the home she found out that squatters had moved in — and now she can’t get them out. James Keivom

The saga began when Adele Andaloro, whose deceased parents owned the house, discovered that squatters had moved in when she started preparing to sell the home last month.

But when she showed up with a locksmith to change the locks on Feb. 29 — taking along a local TV news crew with her — she was the one placed in handcuffs.

The alleged squatter, at right, was identified as “Jay” by Kevin Ballasty, who said he rented basement space in the house in Queens for $1,500 a month. ABC7
The alleged squatter, at right, was identified as “Jay” by Kevin Ballasty, who said he rented basement space in the house in Queens for $1,500 a month. ABC7

The NYPD said Andaloro, 47, was issued a summons for unlawful eviction. Even though she owns the property, New York City law allows individuals to claim squatter’s rights if they occupy a home for at least 30 days, with the matter then to be hashed out in court.

Andaloro has not responded to calls seeking comment this week.

The controversial squatter’s rights protections were brought into focus in another case in the city when Brett Flores, a former handyman, took over a Queens couple’s $2 million dream home and claimed he was legally entitled to remain.

Additional reporting by Haley Brown