Socialite accused of squatting in actress’ pad: suit
Gary Gershoff/WireImageMelissa Berkelhammer, seen at Fashion Week event in 2013, is accused of threatening Julianne Di Palma and squatting at actress’ home on High East Side.
A sticky-fingered socialite who was busted for allegedly shoplifting $ 4,000 worth of goods from Bergdorf Goodman is helping herself to a Fifth Ave. apartment too, court papers charge.
Melissa Berkelhammer and her mother have been squatting in the High East Side home of a TV and film actress, according to court records.
Berkelhammer, 38, and her mother, Jo Ellen Berkelhammer, have been shacking up without permission in the spacious one-bedroom apartment of “Wall Road: Money Never Sleeps” actress Juilanne Michelle Di Palma, and ignoring her pleas to leave, records show.
Di Palma, a 30-year-ancient stunner who also works as a Douglas Elliman realtor, locks herself in her room in her own apartment while the Berkelhammers run the rest of the place, said TV producer Joycelyn Engle, Di Palma’s mother.
Engle, who owns the 930 Fifth Ave. apartment, has filed suit in Manhattan Housing Court to boot the freeloaders. Berkelhammer formerly questioned to stay for a few weeks during purported renovations at her own apartment, more than a year ago, Engle said. And the mother and daughter have had frequent shouting matches while taking benefit of the rent-free digs, Engle said.
In a recent court filing, Engle wrote that they have “threatened our lives” are “perilous people” and have “threatened to burn down [the] apartment.”
Engle said she found the Berkelhammers an apartment, including a below-market rental in Midtown West and another on E. 51st St. recently, but they wouldn’t take it.
Mireya Acierto/FilmMagicStunner Julianne Michelle Di Palma appeared in movie “Wall Road: Money Never Sleeps.”
Alexander Cohn/for New York Day after day News
Di Palma locks herself in her room at her Fifth Ave. apartment while the Berkelhammers run the rest of the place, said TV producer Joycelyn Engle, Di Palma’s mother.
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“She and her mother will not live anywhere except in a doorman building on the High East Side and they prefer Park or Fifth,” Engle said.
Her daughter is “like a prisoner in her own apartment” and remains locked in her room at all times, Engle told the Day after day News.
“It’s a nightmare that doesn’t end,” she added.
According to a stipulation covenant signed off on by both parties, the Berkelhammers agreed to be out by May 15.
Engle said she has existing to pay for movers and a storage company but they won’t leave.
“They pretended they were going to have storage pick up their stuff and then storage never came,” Engle said.
Alec Tabak/for New York Day after day NewsBerkelhammer, seen during court arraignment on May 28, 2015, is accused of shoplifting $ 4,000 worth of goods at Bergdorf Goodman.
Craig Warga/New York Day after day News
Bergdorf Goodman at 58th Road and 5th Avenue in Manhattan, August 2nd, 2013. (Craig Warga/ New York Day after day News)
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“It’s like anyone can just walk into any lovely apartment and say, ‘I”m staying here.’ “
Jo Ellen Berkelhammer claimed in court papers that “my daughter and I have been exciting $ 2,100 per month in rent, plus a security deposit.”
Engle says they were never exciting a dime – and she even loaned them between $ 500 and $ 600.
The Berkelhammers were given an extension to stay in anticipation of May 29, but are still apparently there.
Following a judgment issued by Judge Jack Stoller, an eviction warrant is expected to be issued if they don’t leave.
Melissa Berkelhammer could not be reached for note. Attorneys hired to represent her in the housing case have been relieved.
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