Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Elderly Woman Says Strangers Stole Her House With Fake Deed
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 12, 2014
Modified Jul 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 12, 2014
Modified Jul 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An elderly Manhattan woman says that a con artist has stolen her familial Queens home with a fake deed. Film critic Jennifer Merin tells the Post today all about how ex-con Darrell Beatty, 49, and his two sons managed to illegally occupy the three-bedroom Tudor in Laurelton, Queens last February.
"That case is what changed the dynamic in the Department of Finance of how we process deed transfers," city Sheriff Joseph Fucito, whose office investigates deed fraud, told them. "The old policy was designed to be customer friendly. It’s very hard to be customer friendly and super vigilant at the same time,”
Merin says the row house on 141st Avenue has been in her family since 1931; her mother and her siblings were all raised there. She says she inherited it several decades ago after her mother died, and has never rented it: "The house was maintained basically as a sanctuary to my family," she noted, adding that she has paid all taxes, insurance and utilities on the property since.
After noticing a higher water bill last February, she discovered Beatty and his sons, Darrell Kash Beatty, 25, and DeShaun Beatty, 22, had occupied the home and changed the locks, throwing most of her families belongings into the garage. The Post writes of the scam:
Merin and her lawyer soon unearthed a deed transfer filed by Darrell Beatty, claiming he obtained the house in March 2013 from an “Edith Moore.” But the address given for Moore does not exist.
The phone number for Beatty listed on the deed was answered by the voice mail of a “Tony,” and messages were not returned.
There was no mention of Merin or her grandparents, the original owners, on the transfer form.
Merin contacted the Finance Department, which oversees the city register. Officials confirmed the 2013 deed transfer was fraudulent and updated the deed with Merin’s name on June 4.
It seems since this case came to light over the summer, the department has added several new policies to combat deed fraud (and clerical errors); Fucito said at least 100 deeds impacting 300 properties are now being investigated as possible frauds.
But Merin is still waiting to get her case settled. Although a court ordered that the Beattys should be evicted in August, it was stayed due to the father's health problems.
Tagged
darrell beatty
deed fraud
jennifer merin
queens
scam
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .