The New York Metropolis man accused of squatting in a $1 million home – even incomes cash by renting out bedrooms to others – gave an astonishing excuse at court docket for a video that confirmed him barging into the residence whereas its rightful proprietor was inside.
Brian ‘Jay’ Rodriguez was again in Queens Prison Court docket Monday and appeared earlier than a decide almost three months after he was indicted on costs of housebreaking, grand larceny, and different crimes for illegally occupying Adele Andalaro’s house.
Wearing navy trousers and a blue button-down shirt, Rodriguez appeared composed as he entered the courtroom along with his mom, who was strolling with a cane, by his facet.
He advised DailyMail.com that he ‘did not do a factor mistaken,’ and appeared assured that the legal professional’s would work it out.
‘It was a lease anyone bought me. It is a faux lease, just about, now. I did not know that on the time,’ he insisted exterior the courtroom.
‘I wasn’t hiding in the home.’
Brian ‘Jay’ Rodriguez was again in Queens Prison Court docket on Monday. He appeared calm as he walked along with his mom. In April, he was indicted on costs of housebreaking, grand larceny, and different crimes, accused of illegally occupying Adele Andalaro’s household house in Flushing
Adele Andalaro, pictured exterior her Roslyn Heights house, inherited the single-family home in Queens and was outraged when she found squatters had taken it over
Rodriguez is mockingly underneath home arrest now with a GPS-equipped ankle monitor and solely allowed to enterprise out for work and court docket appearances.
The ordeal started in February when Andalaro went to her house, which she inherited from her mother and father, and observed that the entrance door and locks had been modified – and that squatters had moved in and refused to go away.
Shocked, Andalaro confronted Rodriguez, shouting at him for ‘stealing her home’ which led to an explosive confrontation that at one level noticed Rodriguez attempting to interrupt down the entrance door.
In a weird twist, when police arrived, it was Andalaro who was handcuffed and arrested. The video of the arrest went viral, and made nationwide headlines with many outraged that squatters appeared to have extra rights than the authorized house owners.
Rodriguez addressed the confrontation Monday and insisted he ‘by no means disrespected Ms. Andalaro.’
‘It wasn’t that I used to be screaming at her. That video make me appear like an animal and it wasn’t like that,’ he acknowledged.
‘I did not understand she was behind the door,’ he defined. ‘There have been different guys in the home it is simply how the media portrayed me.’
Rodriguez of East Flushing was initially going through as much as 15 years in jail however that has now been revised right down to 1 1/2 to three years.
Andalaro’s Flushing, Queens house that Rodriguez occupied and rented out rooms in
When he was referred to as to the stand, Queens Decide Toni Cimino requested: ‘What’s the intention right here? I do not know what the aim is for in the present day’s look.’
Protection legal professional Nicholas Dayan advised the decide that he was appointed to the case only a week in the past – Rodiguez’s former legal professional was Gerald Levine – and that his consumer ‘was not presently to take a plea’ and is ready to go to trial.
The decide mentioned that his consumer wants to ensure he would not get ‘re-arrested,’ and mentioned he’s due again in court docket on August 7.
District Lawyer Melinda Katz mentioned in April when the fees have been introduced.
‘Prison costs might be pursued once you unlawfully occupy another person’s house. You can not simply enter a house with out permission, then keep with out permission and later declare vested rights just because the reliable proprietor is unaware and has been unable to take away you for 30 days,’ she mentioned.
‘The defendant on this case is alleged to have entered and stayed in the home unlawfully. He has now been charged with housebreaking and grand larceny.’
Rodriguez insisted Monday he’s harmless, and a sufferer himself.
‘I did not do something mistaken. There’s loads of proof. The police digital camera reveals the whole lot I did,’ he maintained.
Rodriguez stands along with his mom contained in the Queens courthouse on Monday able to face the decide
He proclaimed his innocence telling DailyMail.com that he ‘did nothing mistaken’
His lawyer advised DailyMail.com that Rodriguez approached him to characterize him after he was the lawyer for 2 of his pals, who each have been going through prison costs, and have been acquitted.
‘He advised me why he employed me. He mentioned I helped two of his pals. It was prison and it was worse [than Rodriguez’s case].’
The lawyer referred to as the case ‘attention-grabbing’ and mentioned that after reviewing the indictment and the way they’re charging him with a penal legislation statute.
‘Precisely how they’re attending to a felony on this case of burglary- they are saying he took property out of the home that he trespassed, so I’m going to see if I can dismiss the highest cost by the use of a movement if they do not have it on the legislation on this case.’
He additional acknowledged: ‘Proper now the provide is one and a half to 3 years. No motions have been filed. They have not filed the certificates of compliance – that means they have not given us all their discovery and the legislation in that particular case is that we do not have to file our motions till they certify the case.’
Dayan mentioned there may be nonetheless work to do however, his plan transferring ahead is to get ‘no jailtime’ for Rodriguez.
The Queens DA’s workplace advised DailyMail.com that the ‘case remains to be pending.’
We have now no additional remark exterior of our April press launch,’ a spokesperson mentioned.
