Council Member Arrested Over Deed Theft Fight In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY— Police arrested City Council Member Chi Ossé while he attempted to block the eviction of a constituent fighting to keep her longtime family home, according to officials and witnesses.

Ossé was taken into custody as he stood outside the Jefferson Avenue property of Carmella Charrington, whose ownership of the four-story brownstone has been contested for more than two years.

Officers forced Chi Ossé to the ground during the arrest as he attempted to block the eviction, according to a video posted on X.

Charrington remains jailed on Rikers Island after a judge held her in contempt of court in connection with the dispute.

Her family says the legal battle has left her unable to defend her claim to the home her relatives have owned for decades.

Supporters, including neighbors and activists, gathered outside the property as authorities moved to enforce the eviction.

Ossé joined them and attempted to intervene.

“This is the result of deed theft and the ongoing displacement of Black homeowners in Bed-Stuy,” Ossé wrote in a statement posted to his social media account. “Our office is closely monitoring this situation and will provide updates as this develops.”

The dispute centers on the property in the 200 block of Jefferson Avenue, where Charrington’s family says they have lived for more than 60 years. A developer, 227 Group LLC, has sought control of the deed.

More than a year ago, the developer attempted to change the locks on the home, an incident captured on surveillance video that Charrington later used in court filings, according to her family.

Despite the ongoing legal fight, relatives and supporters have remained at the home in an effort to prevent removal.

Authorities have not released additional details about the charges related to Ossé’s arrest. The legal battle over the home remains ongoing.