Connecticut
$1.5M home was built on LI doctor’s vacant Connecticut lot without his knowledge, lawsuit alleges
A Long Island doctor claims a nearly $1.5 million house is being built on the vacant Connecticut lot that’s been in his family for 70 years without his knowledge because of a stunning fraud scheme, according to a federal lawsuit.
Dr. Daniel Kenigsberg’s jaw dropped when he swung by what used to be his empty lot in Fairfield, Connecticut — only to find a partially constructed three-story house on the property.
The pricey home, which boasts four bedrooms and four full bathrooms, has transformed a parcel previously covered in trees into a now-stalled construction project.
“I was living my life normally until May 31st,” Kenigsberg told the Washington Post, “and all of a sudden, this happened.”
The property was fraudulently transferred to Sky Top Partners LLC for $350,000 in October 2022, according to the federal lawsuit obtained by The Post.
While the transfer title claims Kenigsberg signed off on the move in Johannesburg, South Africa, the lawsuit argues his signature was forged and he was impersonated.
“Dr. Kenigsberg has never lived in Johannesburg, South Africa and was not traveling there in 2022,” the lawsuit states. “Dr. Kenigsburg never authorized the sale of his property to anyone.”
Sky Top Partners and Anthony Monelli, the lawyer who helped complete the deal, are the listed defendants.
Kenigsberg, who lives in East Setauket, first got an inkling something was wrong at the property when he was talking to a childhood friend, who still lives in Fairfield and mentioned they were building on the land, CT Insider reported.
“They’re doing what? I said, ‘I own that and I never sold it,’” Kenigsberg told the outlet. “I was shocked.”
He stopped by that same day for the first time in five years to see for himself, the Washington Post reported. That’s when he saw the under-construction house that was listed for $1,475,000 in August 2022.
The property has been in Kenigsberg’s family since 1953, when his father purchased it, and he obtained the deed to it after his mother died in 2007, the Washington Post reported.
He grew up next to the lot in a house that he later sold in 2011.
While the defendants are reportedly not accused of being behind the wild scheme, the lawsuit claims they knew or should have known the transfer was a forgery, the lawsuit states.
“It looks like somebody from South Africa reached out to maybe the broker and maybe Attorney Monelli,” Kenigsberg’s lawyer Peter Nolin told CT Insider, later stating. “Apparently there are scammers around the country doing this kind of thing.”
Police said a criminal probe is underway as investigators are trying to determine who received money from the buyers, the outlet reported.
The lawsuit ultimately demands the deed transfer be tossed, but in the meantime, any work on the house must be stopped as the case makes its way through the justice system, according to legal papers.
“I’m angry that so many people were so negligent that this could have happened. … It wasn’t for sale … It’s more than obnoxious, it’s offensive and wrong,” Kenigsberg told CT Insider.
Connecticut
Iowa State women no match for Connecticut, as Huskies post 101-68 victory
The Iowa State women had another chance to make a statement on a national scale Tuesday night.
They were denied.
No. 4 Conneticut jumped out to an impressive 36-10 lead after the first quarter on its way to a 101-68 victory. Sarah Strong, Ashlynn Shade and All-American Paige Bueckers all scored over 27 points, knocking down a combined 17 three-pointers.
Strong had 29 while Shade and Bueckers each scored 27. Kaitlyn Chen dished out eight assists for the Huskies (10-1), who were 20 of 34 from the 3-point line.
For the Cyclones (9-4), Audi Crooks had 22 with Sydney Harris adding 17 off the bench, including five made triples. Addy Brown and Emily Ryan each scored nine and had six assists.
Connecticut shot 57 percent from the field and held a plus-nine edge in rebounds. They also scored 14 points off 14 Iowa State turnovers while recording 27 assists on 37 made field goals.
Iowa State held a lead at 2-0 when Crooks made a jumper but the Huskies went on a 24-4 run from there.
The Cyclones open Big 12 Conference play when they close out 2024 at Oklahoma State on Saturday, Dec. 21. The Cowboys are currently 10-1 on the year and have scored 92-plus in each of their last three since a loss to Richmond.
Iowa State has lost all three games to ranked opponents this year, falling to defending national champion South Carolina and Iowa.
Connecticut
16-Year-Old Driver Killed In Crash, Mourned: CT News
Patch PM CT brings you breaking and trending news stories from all across Connecticut each weeknight. Here are the top stories from across the entire state:
The high school student killed in the crash is being mourned by many.>>>Read More.
The owners said it was a “tough blow” but the support of the community “means everything to us right now.”>>>Read More.
Mysterious drones have been spotted in the skies above Connecticut communities in recent days.>>>Read More.
Fire officials said two people and two pets were displaced by a house fire, however many Christmas presents and personal items were saved.>>>Read More.
Saturday, the Winter Solstice, may be the shortest day of the year, but you’ll still find plenty to do in Connecticut, all weekend long.>>>Read More.
Other breaking news stories across the state:
Connecticut
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