Fox News Flash top headlines for July 3
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.
A Long Island man who hasn’t paid his mortgage in more than 20 years got another free pass from the courts this week after hiring a new lawyer.
Guramrit Hanspal, 52, hasn’t coughed up a dime to live in his East Meadow home since making a single mortgage payment in 1998, but ducked eviction for decades by filing lawsuits and bankruptcies, records show.
The home, which was foreclosed on years ago, is now owned by Diamond Ridge Partners, which hauled Hanspal into court in a bid to finally boot him from the property.
At a Wednesday hearing in Nassau County court, Judge William A. Hohauser agreed to delay the case after Hanspal’s attorney, William D. Friedman, requested more time, claiming his co-counsel, David Gevanter, had been hired the day before.
"This is the last of approximately 40 attorneys who have appeared on the eve of a hearing," exasperated Diamond Ridge lawyer Jordan Katz told the judge.
"This is very typical of the defendant — he recycles lawyers to buy himself more time," said Max Sold, who works for Diamond Ridge. "This guy is basically mocking the courts."
NEW YORK MAN GOES OVER 20 YEARS WITHOUT PAYING MORTGAGE, EVADING EVICTIONS ALONG THE WAY
In the court hearing, Friedman accused Katz of using "scandalous language."
Reached by phone after the appearance, Friedman declined to make Hanspal available for an interview.
When asked why Hanspal hasn’t paid his mortgage, the attorney pinned the blame on Gov. Cuomo’s March 2020 eviction moratorium, claiming the governor had made paying rent "a moral obligation." He hung up after a Post reporter noted his client’s failure to pay predates the pandemic by 20 years.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
COVID-19 protections, which put the brakes on evictions, shouldn’t apply to Hanspal, Katz argued, because Hanspal isn’t legally occupying the house, he said.
"We don’t believe the act was put in place to protect individuals like this," he said.
READ MORE AT NYPOST.COM
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
