The Queens family whose dream mansion was taken over by a squatter have hired a celebrity security guard to watch over the $2 million home, according to a report.
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, haven’t been able to enter their Douglaston, Queens home since signing the deed in October.
The burly guard was stationed outside the mansion Thursday, one day after news broke that the homeowner’s previous caretaker was refusing to leave the premises.
“I work for the owner of the house. These people are good people, it is a shame what is going on,” the guard told the DailyMail.
“There’s probably two people [in the house]. It shouldn’t be happening. Whoever made those [squatters’ rights] rules up is smoking some kind of crack.”
Although he didn’t share his name, the watchman confirmed he had experience working high-profile cases in the past — including standing guard at Bill Gates’ daughter’s 2021 wedding.
The security measure is the latest in a string of desperate attempts by the Landas to wrestle control of their property from the squatter, who worked on a $3,000-a-week salary as the caretaker of the former owner until the man died in January 2023.
Brett Flores, 32, has repeatedly claimed the previous owner gave him a “license” to live in the house, despite the Landas’ legal purchase of the home in October.
The couple had high expectations for the home. Close to relatives, the location was perfect for their son Alex, who has Down syndrome and could be easily looked after if something was ever to happen to the couple.
“I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he’s next to his brother,” Susana Landa told ABC 7.
The squatter has not only been running up a hefty tab on the Landas’ dime, but is even listing rooms in the mansion for rent.
The couple has unsuccessfully tried to evict Flores, who is protected from being booted thanks to his recent bankruptcy declaration.
The Landas have had five hearings in civil court since they bought the home, but the process keeps getting held up by Flores’ antics.
The couple are taking Flores to landlord-tenant court in hopes of getting him evicted, but the court hearing is not until April.
“It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair, and not able to do anything,” Joseph Landa said.
