"I Bought It From Yahweh" Is Not A Good Defense For Squatting In Foreclosed House
Here’s a tip to anyone looking to squat in a foreclosed home — People probably won’t believe you if you tell them you purchased the property from Yahweh (aka God, aka Big Man in the Sky). It’s a lesson a Montana man learned this week after being convicted of not only illegally living in a home that wasn’t his, but also trying to use it as collateral for a loan.
According to reports, the man, described as a transient, moved himself into a Lake County, MT, house last summer, taking down the “For Sale” sign and changing the locks. He also filed paperwork with the county saying he’d purchased the $380K house from, that’s right, Yahweh himself.
He also attempted to get a $125K loan, using the house he’d purchased from the divine being as collateral.
In court, the prosecutor said the man had detailed in his diary how he planned — perhaps with the help of his holy friend — to steal up to 100 foreclosed homes:
Authorities also believe the man was living in at least one other foreclosed home and was renting out a third, though he was not charged with either allegation.
He was convicted of theft, deceptive practices and tampering with public records or information and faces up to 30 years in prison.
Jury convicts man who says ‘Yahweh’ sold him foreclosed home [NY Daily News]
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