New York cracks down on the $1 million squatter: Queens illegal tenant who's been living rent-free without a care in the world for months is finally moved on

An alleged squatter accused of living in a $1 million home while earning money by renting out bedrooms to others has finally been charged. 

Brian Rodriguez was indicted on Thursday on charges of burglary, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. 

Homeowner Adele Andaloro had been checking on the home in Flushing, Queens,  in February that she inherited when she realized the front door had been changed. 

Prosecutors say that over several days Andaloro witnessed Rodriguez inside the property, and he claimed he was leasing the property. 

Andaloro is said to have saw several others living at the home, with one leaving the door open. After gaining entry she changed the locks to gain back access. 

After Rodriguez returned, he had Andaloro dramatically handcuffed and led off the $1 million property after claiming that he was the legal tenant. 

Andaloro is said to have seen several others living at the home, with one leaving the door open

Brian Rodriguez, seen here, was indicted on Thursday on charges of burglary, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and criminal mischief

Rodriguez had previously claimed that he was the victim of a fraudulent business deal and would leave if he was paid $18,000. 

A handful of alleged squatters in the four-bedroom home claimed they were legitimate residents of the property who had been paying rent to someone named 'Jay.' 

Jay turned out to be Rodriguez who previously told the New York Post that he was scammed into 'renting' the home with a fake lease drawn up by a fraudulent realtor.

He claimed he went into business in an attempt to cash in on what he thought was a city-run program that pays landlords $1,000 a month to take in migrants. But no such program exists. 

Rodriguez wanted Andaloro to pay him the $18,000 he put in on repairs for the plumbing, electric work, paint job, and cleaning he claims he paid for. 

In his telling of events, Rodriguez was scammed by a well-dressed man in a Flushing laundromat who he met last December and promptly agreed to go into business with on a house he could lease and rent out rooms in.

The man, 'Ronnie Ferg,' claimed to be a real estate broker and offered Rodriguez a lease for the four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,646 square foot home, to which Ferg had a key.

Rodriguez had homeowner Andaloro dramatically handcuffed and led off the $1 million property after claiming that he was the legal tenant

Brian Rodriguez offered to leave the home along with his tenants, if Andaloro reimbursed him for work allegedly done on the house - an amount he says totals well over $18,000

Andaloro was arrested for changing the locks, which is illegal under New York City's eviction law - she has promised to pursue legal action in court

The lease was signed for an agreed upon $3,200 a month and Rodriguez subsequently began renting out rooms in the home.

'I rented the rooms to local people who need places to sleep. They work for Uber and Instacart and can’t afford $2,000 a month for an apartment. Some pay $900; some pay $1,000,' he said.

Andaloro previously told ABC7 New York: 'It's enraging. It really is. It's not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this.'

Andaloro was arrested for changing the locks, which is illegal under New York City's illegal eviction law.  

In New York State, squatters who occupy a property openly and adversely for 10 uninterrupted years can make an adverse possession claim, provided they have paid property taxes over that decade.

In New York City, however, squatters are granted rights after just 30 days, meaning landlords must start an eviction proceeding as soon as a squatter has been discovered.

A woman, who is squatting inside, peers through the window to watch a confrontation

Kevin Balletsy, left, claims he has a lease for the basement of the property, the other man, right, was seen going back and forth from the home 

A delivery driver waits at the front of the house after the squatters inside ordered food 

District Attorney Katz said: 'Criminal charges will be pursued when you unlawfully occupy someone else’s home. 

'You cannot just enter a home and claim you have a right to stay. You cannot first enter a home without permission, then stay without permission and later claim vested rights simply because the legitimate owner is unaware or has been unable to remove you for 30 days. 

'The defendant in this case is alleged to have entered and stayed in this home unlawfully. He has now been charged with burglary and grand larceny.'

If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to 15 years behind bars and was ordered to return to court next month.