Politics & Government

Stony Brook Homeowner Slapped with Housing Code Violations

Brookhaven officials allegedly find 17 students living in Christian Avenue home.

The homeowner of 150 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook was hit with multiple misdemeanors after town officials allegedly found  more than 17 students living in the single-family home. 

Brookhaven investigators executed a search warrant on the property May 23, which is approximately 7,000 square feet in size, to find more then 17 students living there. 

Supervisor Ed Romaine said town code prohibits more than four unrelated people can live in the same rented building. 

"When we got into that house, they were converting the attic to bedrooms, we stopped them," said Town Attorney Annette Eaderesto. "It's dangerous to have people live in attics. It's dangerous to have padlocked doors that other people can't get in." 

Brookhaven investigators allegedly found and photographed several doors in the Christian Avenue home padlocked shut, creating a fire hazard, along with extensive extension cords to power appliances and electronics. 

Town officials allege the landlord was collecting $9,800 a month in rent from the students. 

"These people are making money out of this. Greed is the motive," Romaine said. 

The Christian Avenue home has been a long-standing subject of dispute between the town and homeowner. A previous search warrant executive in March 2011 allegedly found 14 students living in the building owned by Steven Paul Graziano, who may also own properties in Belle Terre, Mt. Sinai, and Port Jefferson. 

Romaine said the raid on the Christian Avenue home was one of many illegal housing crackdowns the town has taken in recent months, also closing homes on Madeley Lane in Stony Brook. 

There are 50 active cases under investigation by town officials, according to the supervisor. 

Eaderesto said the town has six pending Supreme Court cases for illegal houses, with another case she expects to file on Friday. The town attorney said an eighth case is scheduled to brought to court next week. 

"Justice eventually comes if we are persistent," Romaine said.


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