A couple living on the Upper West Side has filed a lawsuit against a woman named Celeste Champoux, who they allowed to stay in their spare studio apartment temporarily, but who has refused to leave more than a year later. The couple was approached by a friend of Champoux, cinematographer John Corso, who claimed that Champoux needed a place to stay before moving to Hawaii. The couple agreed to let her stay for a short time at a modest cost. However, Champoux is still there, making demands and moving their property in the hallway of the building. She is now demanding $25,000 from the couple if they want her to leave, as claimed in the lawsuit filed by Richard Scarola, the attorney representing his wife Nancy Hament.
Champoux has been involved in at least two other eviction proceedings since 2014 and is facing allegations of fraud in this case as well. The couple is suing not only Champoux but also Corso for fraud and deception. Corso allegedly deceived the couple by falsely representing that Champoux’s stay would be short-term and that she was planning to move to Hawaii. The lawsuit accuses Corso of obtaining occupancy of the premises through fraud, resulting in significant financial losses for the couple. Both of Champoux’s previous eviction cases also involved Corso, although neither of them responded to requests for comment.
Champoux has a history of being involved in eviction proceedings dating back to 2014 when her Upper East Side landlord initiated eviction proceedings against her for non-payment of rent. Corso tried to vouch for Champoux at that time, claiming he could cover her rent with funding from a non-specific IMAX film project. Despite the promises, Champoux only paid a fraction of what she owed, leading to her eventual eviction in 2018. She then moved to the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen’s Club in Midtown under false pretenses, claiming to offer marketing services in exchange for a free room. The club eventually asked her to leave after discovering the deception.
Champoux, who claimed to have a background as a former diplomat, was eventually evicted from the club in 2023 after failing to fulfill her marketing duties. She then moved into the Upper West Side apartment where she currently resides. Her lawyer has claimed that she is elderly, infirm, and barely capable of hearing, suggesting that she is being subjected to elder abuse by the couple. However, the couple has stated that they did not cut off essential services and that Champoux does not even have a key to the unit. The situation remains unresolved as the legal battle continues between Champoux, the couple, and Corso.
The ongoing legal battle between the Upper West Side couple and Celeste Champoux highlights the complexities of tenant-landlord relationships and issues surrounding eviction and fraud. The case involves allegations of deception, elder abuse, and financial demands from Champoux, who has a history of eviction proceedings. The couple’s decision to file a lawsuit against not only Champoux but also the acquaintance who introduced them to her underscores the challenges faced by property owners in dealing with difficult tenants. The case raises questions about the legal rights of both tenants and landlords and the importance of clear agreements and communication when it comes to renting property. The outcome of this lawsuit may have implications for future cases involving similar disputes and could impact how such issues are addressed in the legal system.
The involvement of a high-profile attorney representing his wife in the legal battle adds another layer of complexity to the case. Richard Scarola, a managing partner in a boutique Manhattan law firm, brings his legal expertise to the matter, while Champoux’s attorney presents her as an elderly, vulnerable individual being mistreated by the couple. The accusations of elder abuse, fraud, and financial demands create a tense atmosphere in the legal proceedings, as both parties seek a resolution to the situation. With multiple eviction proceedings and disputed claims, the case highlights the challenges faced by property owners in dealing with problematic tenants and the legal hurdles that must be navigated to address such issues effectively. As the case unfolds, it will shed light on the intricacies of landlord-tenant disputes and the complexities of housing law in urban environments.
