A handyman who has experience removing squatters said he helped one homeowner reclaim her Hollywood property from Iron Chef winner Adam Fleischman, who was allegedly living there rent-free.
After the homeowner, Claudia, contacted handyman Flash Shelton, he went to the house and confronted Fleischman for squatting in the home since May without ever paying rent.
Shelton posted the video of the confrontation to his YouTube channel, hoping media attention would urge Fleischman to move out.
Fleischman confirmed to Fox News that he left the home on Monday and no longer lives there.
Shelton told Fox News: “I asked him if he felt that he owed her any money and if he realizes that he has basically broken this woman. He just says that it’s not his fault.”
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Claudia, 62, is currently facing bankruptcy, and she said she has a medical condition that is enhanced by stress.
Fleischman said he intended “to pay rent and to be a normal tenant,” but he was never given a lease when he moved in, so he did not.
He told Fox News: “I haven’t paid rent because intentionally she wouldn’t provide keys or an agreement…Landlords or those renting a room have responsibilities.
“She did not ask for rent for the first two to three months. I figured she had some credit or something.”
Claudia is upset that she could not remove Fleischman without going to court: “We kept telling him for months to leave, but he refuses, and the police say it’s illegal to make him leave or to lock him out. He has paid no deposit, no rent, has no lease or any keys.”
Once Shelton told him he would have to go to civil court over the dispute, Fleischman left.
Claudia said she posted an ad on Craigslist in the spring to rent a room out – with permission of the homeowner.
Fleischman responded to the ad, and the two made an agreement to host dinner parties and charge per plate at the home to generate income.
The homeowner has not commented on the situation.
Claudia told Fox News: “[Fleischman] said a partnership with us would pay all for the entire home. I felt if he’s had that much success, maybe he knows how to be successful.”
Claudia said Fleischman did not pay her after the first event, and she realized afterwards that he used her credit card to buy supplies for it.
Fleischman denied using her card, but Claudia provided Fox News with a bank statement showing a disputed charge on her account with a note saying it’s under investigation.
Claudia said: “He did not pay me, and he used my credit card and forged my signature to buy the food for the event, and I knew I was in trouble. He was just a con man.”
Fleischman argued that Claudia’s accusation was “made-up stuff from a crazy person.”
Shelton finally got involved and successfully removed Fleischman from the home. He said he helped Claudia free of charge.
Fleischman has not been accused or charged with any criminal conduct.
Shelton added that he is raising money on a GoFundMe page to pay for costs to help others remove squatters.
He said: “The GoFundMe is for [Claudia] and others but also goes to funding efforts to change squatter laws and help everyone.”
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