New York State AG claims Bed-Stuy housing battle not a case of deed theft
Authorities said city marshals and sheriff’s deputies arrived on Jefferson Avenue around 7:30 a.m. to carry out an eviction and locate the father of homeowner Carmella Charrington.
The New York State Attorney General's Office claims a situation leading to a protest rally – and later the arrests of several people, including Councilmember Chi Ossé – was not a case of deed theft.
Authorities said city marshals and sheriff’s deputies arrived on Jefferson Avenue around 7:30 a.m. to carry out an eviction and locate the father of homeowner Carmella Charrington. The situation escalated, leading to multiple arrests, including Ossé’s, who was later released.
Ossé posted on social media to say that he is concussed from the incident.
It is the latest development in a yearslong legal battle over the brownstone, which advocates say is part of a broader pattern of deed theft cases impacting homeowners across New York City.
The Attorney General's Office says they reviewed the case in April of last year and claim it's not a deed theft, but a property dispute. They say it stems from conflicting claims from heirs of the property's former owners.
Charrington claims the deed was sold by a family member who does not maintain the property.
“Break it down. If it’s not a deed theft case. It’s a deed theft case if I didn’t authorize it. If you had a house and you didn’t authorize it, what would it be to you?" said Charrington.
The Attorney General's Office says it doesn't have the authority to intervene on these disputes, but says it has met with Charrington multiple times to give guidance on the issue.
