An investigation found that a South Florida home known for its extravagant Christmas lights had been illegally occupied for nearly two decades.
Kathy Hyatt, a realtor, and her ex-husband Mark, who died in 2020, allegedly “squatted” in a Plantation, Florida home for 15 years, according to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE following an investigation by the Broward County Property Assessor. According to the report, the property was never owned and had a “falsified deed.”
The assessor’s office called the investigation “The Nightmare Before Christmas” because the Hyatts were known to go all out with their holiday decorations, covering the house with thousands of colorful lights, festive figures and large light-up lawn ornaments, earning it the nickname ” Hyatt Extreme Christmas” house. Even that has caused some conflict with neighbors and the town of Plantation over the years.
“There were some legal issues and complaints between the city of Plantation and the Hyatts that came out of the Christmas lights situation,” Vivian Gallinal, property crime investigator for the assessor’s office, tells PEOPLE.
Viral Home Depot Christmas tree with color-changing lights dazzles TikTok
Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar said his office is seeking justice for county taxpayers.
“I am proud of our Property Crimes Team for bringing to light the fraud that took place as I hope it will bring some comfort to the innocent victims,” he said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Furthermore, our office is rightfully re-taxing thousands of dollars in property because our Broward County taxpayers are also victims of fraud and deserve to be healed.”
The property tax exemption is $34,724.68 per assessor’s office.
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Although the statute of limitations has passed for all criminal charges, according to Gallinal, the question of who rightfully owns the home needs to be resolved now.
“That part is being resolved and we are trying to determine that. But it takes some time,” she added.
PEOPLE reached out to Kathy Hyatt, but she declined to comment on the matter.
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Source: HIS Education