Son who played squatters at own game tackles celeb 'living rent-free'off woman
A man who played a group of squatters at their own game after they moved into his grieving mum's house confronted celebrity Iron Chef winner and former judge Adam Fleischman, who he claims was living rent-free in a grieving woman's home.
Flash Shelton, a handyman with experience of removing squatters, helped Claudia, 62, to reclaim her home in Hollywood, California. The group moved in when the house was put up for rent following the death of Claudia's husband. After being contacted by Claudia, Flash went to her home and confronted Fleischman for living there since May without having ever paid rent. Flash filmed the encounter and posted it to his YouTube channel, hoping media attention would encourage the TV chef to move out.
According to Fleischman, he left the home on October 2 and no longer lives there. Recalling the encounter, Flash said: "I asked him if he felt that he owed her any money and if he realises that he has basically broken this woman", he added that Claudia has said she's facing bankruptcy, but: "He just says that it's not his fault."
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Fleischman said he had intended to "pay rent and to be a normal tenant", but he said he hadn't because he wasn't given a lease when he moved in. In his eyes, he was not a squatter. He said: "I haven't paid rent because intentionally she wouldn't provide keys or an agreement, etc. etc... Landlords or those renting a room have responsibilities."
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He added: "She did not ask for rent for the first two to three months. I figured she had some credit or something."
View Flash's video here:
Speaking to Fox News, Claudia said she believes the "system is broken" since she couldn't move Fleischman along without going to court. She said: "We kept telling him for months to leave, but he refuses, and the police say it's illegal to make them leave or to lock him out."
"He has paid no deposit, no rent, has no lease, or any keys," said Claudia, who's rented the home for 29 years. Fleischman left after Flash discovered the chef would've taken him to civil court if he were to lock the door.
Claudia already has a medical condition exacerbated by stress. Despite sharing her story, the decision has been made not to publish her last name as she fears media attention may harm her health.
She said she posted an advertisement on Craigslist last spring, with the homeowner's permission, to help find some roommates to help split the rent. After Fleischman responded to the ad, he and Claudia made an agreement to host dinner parties and charge per place at the home with a pleasant view to generate income.
Umami Burger owner Adam Fleischman has been accused of living rent-free in a Hollywood home (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)"He said a partnership with us would pay all for the entire home," Claudia remembered. "I felt if he's had that much success, maybe he knows how to be successful," she said speaking in one of Flash's videos.
Claudia said Fleischman did not pay her after the first went, which she said took place sometime around April. Afterwards, she realised he had used her credit card to buy supplies for it. When she confronted him for money the night of the event, he told her she'd have to wait for the next event, according to Claudia.
Fleischman denied using her card. Claudia proved this to Fox News with a bank statement showing a disputed charge on her account with the note that it is under investigation.
Flash shared videos of his evictions on YouTube (@handymanassoc/YouTube)"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 that I was in trouble. He was just a con man."
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Fleischman told Fox News that Claudia's accusation was "made up stuff from a crazy person", adding they got along well initially. He did admit to not paying rent, however, he said he contributed to utilities and "house expenses".
Claudia said she struggled to find other tenants because of Fleischman. Speaking prior to him moving out, she explained: "Because he's there, I pay triple rent because no one else will rent if he's in my house. Being elderly, recently losing my spouse and having a brain injury from an auto accident is overwhelming enough, and now this nightmare that I have to face alone."
Flash once successfully removed squatters from his own mother's home, so helped Claudia free of charge. He recalled: "I asked [Fleischman] if he had any guilt whatsoever, felt any obligation to her and he said, 'Absolutely not'. I'm just trying to understand where his head is and how he could live like this."
Flash arrived at his mum's house to find a woman had a truckload of her stuff ready to move in (@handymanassoc/YouTube)In his video, Flash included footage from cameras placed around the house that show Fleischman telling two men: "After she dies, I’ll give you guys first shot at the rooms." In another video, Los Angeles Police Department officers can be seen giving Flash permission to place cameras around the house, as long as he doesn't film in Fleischman's bedroom.
The cops also told Claudia she couldn't prevent him from getting access and they couldn't help as it's a civil matter. Fleischman has not yet been accused of or charged with any criminal conduct.
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