A long-running battle between a West Village woman and the squatter she can’t shake took a stunning twist Saturday when a city judge ordered her to keep living with the alleged tormenter.
Barrow Street resident Heidi Russell says short-term renter Kate Gladstone is a “serial grifter” who took over her living room and bathroom, spritzed Russell with cleaning chemicals, threatened her and refused to pay rent for months, according to a lawsuit.
Gladstone, a self-described documentary filmmaker, narrowly ducked being booted from Russell’s home in March after COVID-19 concerns put a stop to evictions, including her own court-ordered ouster. A top state judge then extended the ban till October.
Gladstone stayed until last month, when she left for 17 days without a word, prompting Russell to change the locks, Russell said.
When Gladstone came back unannounced and couldn’t get in, she dashed to housing court, claiming she’d been illegally locked out, documents show.
Judge Marc Finkelstein noted in his August decision that Gladstone could have acted with “greater kindness, sensitivity and cooperation” toward Russell, but nevertheless agreed to restore the accused squatter to the home, noting only city marshals can legally remove her.
Gladstone is now set to return Sunday, after another judge confirmed Finkelstein’s decision, and Russell is fearful.
