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Seattle-area community protests 'con man' squatter who won't leave rental house: 'Exploiting the system'

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Seattle-area community protests 'con man' squatter who won't leave rental house: 'Exploiting the system'


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Washington state landlord Jaskaran Singh is outraged by a serial squatter who owes thousands in back rent and has repeatedly thwarted eviction efforts from his rental property. 

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“He paid for the first month [or] two months rent and basically, after that, he’s living rent-free,” Singh told “Fox & Friends First” on Monday.

The unnamed Seattle-area tenant received assistance from the Housing Justice Project (HJP), a local homelessness prevention group who offered him free legal assistance and paid both the back rent and a three-month advance to afford him time to move out, according to a local report.

SQUATTERS WOULD GET BOOTED IMMEDIATELY UNDER BILL LAWMAKERS IN THIS STATE UNANIMOUSLY PASSED

Washington residents protest in favor of landlords rights. (X/@choeshow )

His refusal to leave, however, forces Singh to fight an uphill battle riddled with even more challenges to collecting rent.

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“They are simply exploiting the system, and I’m not getting justice. Justice is delayed. I would say justice is denied. The judges are not ready to listen to me, and this is not what the American dream is,” he said.

Singh took the fight to the property’s doorstep, challenging the squatter in a confrontation caught on-camera.

After the brief confrontation, the squatter went back inside the home and slammed the door.

HANDYMAN-TURNED SQUATTER HUNTER OUTLINES ‘NIGHTMARE SCENARIO’ WHEN MIGRANTS CATCH ON TO HOUSING LAWS

Landlord Jaskaran Singh told Fox News about his struggle to evict a tenant he says owes thousands in back rent. (Fox News)

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According to KOMO News in Seattle, the tenant lost his job during the pandemic and is still struggling to find work in his field. Singh’s attorney, however, noted that the tenant has new vehicles parked in the driveway.

The next court case on the matter is slated for April 5.

Meanwhile, community members have rallied against squatting in the area. Footage shared by Seattle-based journalist Jonathan Choe captured responses from a number of neighbors and landlords protesting outside the property.

“If you’re not going to pay, you shouldn’t stay there,” said King County Republican Party Vice Chair Kory Hahn, who led a “Get out, con man!” chant in Korean.

“We’re just tired of criminals getting away with stuff,” another protester said.

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Others joined in chants of “no pay, no stay.” 

Choe reiterated to host Carley Shimkus that Singh had gone through the appropriate legal channels to get something done, but to no avail.

“[This is happening in] an elite neighborhood, and these homes are all multi-million dollar homes,” he explained.

“This King County Housing Justice Project, a nonprofit for the King County Bar Association, somehow convinces these judges to get continuances, and it keeps getting delayed, delayed and delayed. What I’ve uncovered is that that’s the tactic. That’s the entire play. That’s the standard for success. Meanwhile, these mom-and-pop landlords are missing out. They’re being completely demoralized,” he continued.

Choe noted there are concerns about “vigilante justice” in the area as well. Footage taken from the protest captured community members banging on the rental home’s front door as police stepped in to usher people away from the property.

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According to KOMO News’ report, approximately 200 locals showed up to the protest in the Bellevue neighborhood. Singh’s attorney, who attended, told the outlet he noticed representatives from the both major political parties as well as people who traveled from outside the community to join and said their presence is proof the issue affects everyone.

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Seattle, WA

Three trapped after car goes into ditch near Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum

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Three trapped after car goes into ditch near Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum


Firefighters are responding to a car that drove into a ditch near Lake Washington Boulevard East and East Foster Island Road on Friday, according to the Seattle Fire Department.

Crews arriving at the scene reported that three people are trapped inside the car.

Firefighters were working to stabilize the car and get everyone out safely. Crews worked to remove the roof of the car to get everyone out, according to fire officials.

Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while emergency crews respond.

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The crash occurred in the area between the Montlake and Broadmoor neighborhoods, and traffic can be expected as emergency crews respond.

No additional information was immediately available.



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Seattle, WA

Seattle Kraken fall to Blues 5-1 in 2nd straight loss

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Seattle Kraken fall to Blues 5-1 in 2nd straight loss


ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dylan Holloway had a hat trick and added an assist in his return from a sprained ankle, Joel Hofer made 23 saves and the St. Louis Blues came off the Olympic break to beat the Seattle Kraken 5-1 on Thursday night.

St. Louis Blues 5, Seattle Kraken 1: Box score

Jordan Kyrou and Holloway — activated from injured reserve before the game — scored in a 23-second span early in the second period to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead.

Pius Suter added a goal and two assists to help the Blues end a three-game losing streak.

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Holloway completed St. Louis’ first hat trick of the season with 3:01 left, scoring into an empty net for his 11th of the season.

Kaapo Kakko tied it at 1 for Seattle in the first period, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 26 shots. The Kraken were coming off a 4-1 loss in Dallas on Wednesday night.

Kyrou made it 2-1 at 1:12 of the second off a feed from Pavel Buchnevich on a break. Holloway poked the puck past Grubauer off a scramble at 1:35. Suter scored at 1:56 of the third.

St. Louis’ Cam Fowler appeared in his 1,100th game, becoming the 10th active defenseman in the NHL to reach the mark.

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Up next

Kraken: Host Vancouver on Saturday night.

Blues: Host New Jersey on Saturday.

Seattle Kraken sign forwards Ben Meyers, Ryan Winterton to 2-year extensions



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Projected Lineup: Feb. 26 vs. Seattle | St. Louis Blues

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Projected Lineup: Feb. 26 vs. Seattle | St. Louis Blues


The St. Louis Blues are back in action as they host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at Enterprise Center (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, 101 ESPN).

It will be the team’s first game since Feb. 4, and Jim Montgomery said the squad is ready to get back to work.

“Yeah, I think everybody is,” the head coach said. “I mean, you can tell. Guys were anxious today, but it’s like ‘enough of practicing against each other, it’s time to play a game.’”

Captain Brayden Schenn, who missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness, took the morning skate and is expected to play. Dylan Holloway (ankle), who has played just one game since Dec. 12, will make his return to the lineup as well.

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Robert Thomas has taken a leave of absence due to a personal matter. He’s expected to return to the team on Friday. 

Additionally Jack Finley will make his Blues debut. Finley – who is the son of former Blue Jeff Finley and was born in St. Louis – was claimed off waivers by the team on Feb. 7.

“It was a dream of mine to play for this team,” Finley said. “It was a big part of my childhood, big part of my family’s life. So definitely full-circle moment and proud to be a Blue.”

Jeff, who played defense for the Blues from 1998-2004, will be in the building Thursday night to see his son don the jersey he wore for so many years. 

“He was excited,” Jack said about his dad. “Maybe more excited than me. He loved this organization, loved this city… He’s excited to be back.”

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