A family who lost their entire home during Hurricane Sandy was cheated out of thousands of dollars by a landlord. They turned to Howard Thompson when the landlord refused to refund thei
r money after leasing them an uninhabitable apartment.
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12/05/12
by Howard Thompson
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Story Summary
Life after Sandy
Superstorm Sandy devastated coastal regions across the tri-state area, killing dozens and setting off a crisis that crippled transportation, the oil supply and the electrical grid. The region’s recovery from the storm has been slow and difficult.
36 Comments to “Family who lost home during Sandy: We were swindled out of thousands by a landlord”
December 6, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Shame on you Howard! I just finished viewing that clip with Diane Canterino……. I thought she was clearly in the right being in the business myself and having provided many families with homes during Hurricanes here in Florida State. This woman was given a very generous refund when in fact the receipt stated non refundable. I doubt Mrs. Canterino threw the keys at her and ran away…..a deal is a deal and I believe legally Mrs. Canterino did not have to refund her a dime……….but did. BTW This case did not magically clear itself up prior to your arrival with cameras entering the seen. Mrs. Canterino stuck up and spoke up to what she believes as a professional business woman who has been in this business for 35 years ……I also believe that she has a heart of gold to have refunded the woman half the money, a very generous amount considering the circumstances. That is much much more than most people would have done. I think Mrs. Canterino could use your help in her situation with her husband who refused to give any money from the pawn shop which is half hers……….and all the fraud he continues to put her through. Please let me correct you….Diane Canterino is still married, not divorced as you stated in your interview. Lets just say I have my sources too. Thank you
December 6, 2012 at 11:36 AM
really you people make me sick she Diane Canterino is a money hungry B**ch she knew what she was doing took kelly's money just so she could get money she knew that apartment was bad and still took the girls money you say she's generous she should have giving it all back knowing what people are going thew this is what she did she spented the money she said shes broke well i think not she's need help with her situation with her husband well maybe if she was a nicer person she wouldnt have a situation tell your sister too give back KELLY'S money all of it and maybe GOD will Spare her hardship in life GOD BLESS YOU KELLY LOTZ I GOT YOUR BACK ….and to Diane stop being a scammer like you are
December 6, 2012 at 1:42 PM
Your a loser just like your Sister…I'd be ashamed to admit I was related to her…ohhh I forgot you didn't actually mention that above…Lol…
December 6, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Howard, this above comment is Diane Crook Canterino's sister! Probably a crook too!
December 6, 2012 at 4:34 PM
Diane Khoudary Canterino is the sister of the first poster above. Enough said. She is also not just a realtor, but the OWNER of the properties she is trying to pawn off on people in need. So she is WELL AWARE of their conditions. Having lived in one of her properties, I can tell you that she is mentally unbalanced, lacks any moral compass, and is capable of doing anything for money, in complete disregard for other people. If you can get a look at back records for craigslist "temporary and sublets" for SI for the past month, you will see that she has listed a property at 159 Tysen Street as emergency housing for Sandy victims. That property has been cited for YEARS with building dept. violations, the most recent being an order to vacate an illegally converted firetrap ATTIC apartment, which Diane Canterino had rented to two young foreign students and a room where she housed a mentally ill man whose rent was paid by the state. In any case, Mr Thompson, Ms. Khoudary Canterino has been flying under the radar for a long time, so it is good that you caught her red-handed abusing a person in a bad situation. Be aware that she is STILL trying to rent her properties to people who lost everything in Sandy.
December 7, 2012 at 9:25 AM
They are like a band of gypsies, I think Dan Donovan needs to be made aware of these Thieves
December 11, 2012 at 11:54 AM
I AGREE 100%!!!!!!
December 6, 2012 at 12:57 AM
I think this whole thing is just disgusting.. Mrs canterino clearly seen this poor women had a child and still but her in a crack den so heart of gold i dont think so.. And to use howard to get to her ex because clearly as seen in the interview he hasnt been with her in six years! So shame on mrs Canterino its over she should just get over it . Its a shame how many people lost eveything in sandy and people like mrs canterino take advantage of those people. I have one word for mrs canterino KARMA!! I feel so sorry for that poor women who lost everything
December 6, 2012 at 11:50 AM
this whole situation is sad and disgusting! instead of helping the people in need mrs canterino ripped off an innocent lady in distress! BTW she is my cousin who has nothing now!! no one needed to know about mrs canterino problem with her husband leaving her for a 21 year old. so let me guess are we suppose to feel sorry for her? absolutely not! she has a warm house and bed to sleep in at night!! mrs canterino states she has no money and she is broke. once again that is not kelly lotz problem! hopefully everyone can learn from this lesson dont give your money to a broke realtor!!
December 6, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Lets ask Diane this would she let her 4 year old live there? I dont think so second if you were there for the whole story to wcich all the neighbors came out claiming shes a slum lord and they have no heat.. that was not aired refundable non refundable this is a family dealing with the losss ovve everything and since she so glorious and helping she will get some poor soul to take the apartment and make more money… Karma catches each and every person never kick someone when there down. If shes such a great realtor 1100 is peanuts to her. I hope she sleep at night knowing she hurt a family whos already been broken… MY FAMILY is strong so we will pull through this because not only did kelly get wiped out her entire family did as we all live in midland beach… But hey theres a place for people like diane and I promise you she will not be sitting next to me in her after life… YOUR A POS thats all you are and GOD DONT LIKE UGLY!!!
December 6, 2012 at 2:57 PM
Hi Sandy…..lets be honest here….first of all you did view the apartment prior to the agreement and you were given the keys in a time of desperation when Mrs. Canterino in fact declined several others for YOU and your family. Secondly she agreed to rent you the unit for a short term period, one month. She did you a favor and to my knowledge you were very very happy. Naturally tenants who are in the process of being evicted will slander the land lord and the property. Diane Canterino happens to be a well respected citizen and would never do as you have stated. There are two sides to every story and you know the truth. Stop lying to your self.
Merry Christmas……Tis The Season
December 6, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Your a loser just like your Sister…I'd be ashamed to admit I was related to her…ohhh I forgot you didn't actually mention that above…Lol…
December 6, 2012 at 3:52 PM
Tis the Season ? For what Denise…Your sister to Rip-Off Helpless Hurricane Victims? You both most have been raised by Lowlifes to have the same outlook…that is Ok to take advantage of people when there down & out?….Found out lots of things about your Sister…very interesting stuff…..You are quite lucky you live in Florida…& your past is worse than Diane's…Hmmm…lets see where this goes….Guess it runs in the family….
December 6, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Now, Now Denise… let's not go backing someone who is in the middle of a scandal, not with your scandalous past, that can't help her case any
December 6, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Tis the Season ? For what Denise…Your sister to Rip-Off Helpless Hurricane Victims? You both most have been raised by Lowlifes to have the same outlook…that is Ok to take advantage of people when there down & out?….Found out lots of things about your Sister…very interesting stuff…..You are quite lucky you live in Florida…& your past is worse than Diane's…Hmmm…lets see where this goes….Guess it runs in the family….
December 6, 2012 at 3:57 PM
What's the matter Denise…cat got your Tongue?
December 7, 2012 at 9:39 AM
The information is out there all over the internet regarding you and your Crook Sister! Mug shots, criminal activites for years. arrests, etc. Yea, you two are really well respected citizens! I am sure everyone in the 'hood looks up to you two and your rap sheets!
Shame on you Denise and Diane, you messed with the wrong people this time! The two of you have been exposed. Was it worth it? Maybe Diane the Thief Canterino will think twice next time she decides to rob a homeless person. Go back into the sewers you crawled out of.
December 6, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Hey Howard, you should see just how broke she is, check out her property value http://www.city-data.com/ny-properties/assessment…
December 6, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Diane Canterino (Khoudary) is a Lowlife Dirtbag….My family is in Real Estate as both my Aunt & Uncle are Brokers…In the best of times they have forgone their commission to help people as being Decent Human Beings..In the worst of times as Hurricane Sandy they wouldn't even think to take someone's money as long as they could help…I will be reporting you Diane to the MLS, BBB, Si Chamber of Commerce as to what a Disreputable Real Estate Broker you are…As for your Husband I have had dealings with him, I in bad times myself at times could barely feed my children after my Ex-Husband & I split had no choice but to Pawn Jewelry, He is a Respectable & Decent Man & Excecptionally Fair in his Business Dealings unlike you…. Why don't you give Kelly back her money take it from the Properties you own on Flagg Place on Todt Hill Or Cranford Ave in Great Kills Or 1 of the Properties you own that you rented her on Thompson St.(listed under your maiden name) ….Or your Business itself Sonny realty on Morning Star Road…you have it to give back…I am going to make your life Miserable & will be Advising everyone of who you are & what you have done…Shame on you… Karma!!!!!!
December 6, 2012 at 6:18 PM
Hi Howard.
Why hasn’t anyone checked into the poor realtor? I guess im a bleeding heart thinking maybe she could be poor. So I did a little research so that I can sleep at night. Turns out that she’s every bit of dirtbag lowlife. She received over $4 MILLION DOLLARS in 2009 in real estate and lives at 438 FLagg place in Todt hill in a 5,000 sq foot home a matter of public records. Has anyone also checked her criminal record.? I have. Turns out she was arrested three times. Twice for violating an order of protection. Surprisingly she was arrested for credit card fraud as well. A woman like this is a disgrace to the human race. What man can live with someone like this?
Karma
December 6, 2012 at 6:38 PM
I know about the arrests for violating an order of protection. As for the credit card fraud, well, I guess she learned that from her big sister, who has a rather substantial rap sheet, including credit card fraud and battery. Google Denise and you will find a lovely mug shot. Diane and Denise, two rotten peas in a pod. Let's make sure that Diane Canterino can no longer conduct ANY business on SI.
December 6, 2012 at 6:39 PM
Wow !
I just don’t get it… In this day and age living in the United States and this is sadly still going on. “SLUMLORDS”
I thought this problem and problems like this gotten taking care of in the 80′s and 90′s ?
Maybe she should be investigated by the District Attorneys office of Staten Island ?
Diane… I don’t know if you can read cause you sounded pretty stupid on camera but here it is…
“Give back all of Kelly’s money and this BAD publicity would die down.”
As for her sister on here…
I hope an alligator bights ya in the Ass
Oh and I hope your Ex-Husband reads this too while his 25 or 26 years old by now is sucking on his toes…. Ha!
Karma Bitch…
December 6, 2012 at 7:31 PM
This is just the tip of the iceberg for Diane Canterino "Khoudary's" many senseless infringements on innocent human life.
She is known by many as the "witch"-she looks like one, sounds like one, and acts like one.
The Stapleton property in question in this case (on Thompson Street, and a neighborhood blight for years) has every foulness known to humanity-drugs, violence, third-world conditions, and numerous DOB violations. She has called the police on tenants who complain, and arbitrarily evicted others who were completely unaware of their rights in such circumstances.
Maintenance? A joke. Leaks, lack of heat and sewage backups are ignored while she parties on Todt Hill with her ilk. Maybe the Department of Buildings should do a more aggressive enforcement to protect her tenants from potentially catastrophic circumstances.
December 6, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Caterino's Trade Name Brokers license #10371200578 gives her the right to rip people off under any name she chooses, such as Twins Realty, license#10991207625. She is an embarrassment to the real estate industry Let's get her licenses yanked and it will cost her a lot more than she stole from Kelly. Bombard e-mail the NY Secretary of State, who sits on Board of Realtors http://www.dos.ny.gov/about/contact.asp?DCode=LCN… or make formal complaint with Division of Licensing Services http://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/complaint_links.h…
December 7, 2012 at 6:45 AM
Already started too….My Uncle & Aunt are both Brokers & it is an embarassment to the Realty Business….Also contacted the Multiple listing service, Better Business Bureau & Staten Island Chamber of Commerce….I agree if it costs her out of pocket than she will know how it feels….
December 7, 2012 at 1:00 AM
Just as a matter of fact, Diane also owns property at 85 Thompson Place, 87 Thompson Place, 89 Thompson Place, 66 Cranford Street, as well as 3990 Woodside Drive, Unit 10 in Coral Springs, FL (her sister owns Units 11, 12, and 20, while their father had owned Unit 21, but he has since passed away so I don't know which of them owns that one now) Pretty good collection of real estate for two swindlers who claim to be flat broke and have a rep of cheating people out of money.
December 7, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Diane, you are the lowest of the low and so is your sister. Your mother must be appalled to call you two her daughters. SHAME ON YOU!
First of all, any person, on either side of any contract written or verbal has 72 hours to change their mind.
So, you are in default of that contract.
Secondly, you assured Kelly Lotz that it was a safe environment to bring her family there to live and it was NOT! LIAR!
I would like to help Kelly with this issue and will be in touch with her shortly. You say you are broke? I don't think so. $1100.00 is not alot of money but it certainly is if taken away from you when you have nothing else or anywhere else to go.
December 8, 2012 at 5:19 PM
Can we say drama? What the heck does her husband and his girlfriend have to do with ripping people off? She made her bed and only she should have to lay in it!!!!!!!! Take responsibility for your own actions!!! Give this lady back the rest of her money!!!!!!!!!!!
December 9, 2012 at 4:42 PM
this is a disgrace htat you even bothered airing this. she signed the non-refundab receipt after seeing the appartment. Howard you are a disgrace, there are tons of people trying to take advantage of the system due to sandy, she a perfect candidate, who is rarely without a bottle of booze Im sure DIane is glad to be rid of her! HOward you owe Diane an apology! as for those that think she deserves a refund, Diane was kind enough to give her 1/2 back I wouldn't have given her a nickle!
December 10, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Why hide behind a fictitious name …. If you know so much about People scamming the system,then I am sure you & your friends the Canterino (Khoudary's) are amongst them…Who is scamming who here…People lost everything In Hurricane Sandy…Do you watch the news Bitch? & as for her never being seen without a bottle of booze…that's her business…& right as an adult in America @ the age of 21 to drink…Don't let me find out who you are… cause I will F*ck you up…Be an adult & not a Coward hiding behind an alias like her sister Denise…you wanna talk S*it man up & do it without hiding….I'm right here let me know.. Or are you too chicken like your Friends?
December 10, 2012 at 10:31 AM
No Balls…Just like your Friends….LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 11, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Well your her SISTER…..SO OF COURSE YOUR GONNA AGREE WITH THAT THIEVING BITCH!!!
WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE….???? YOU JUST SLANDERED A GREAT PERSONS NAME….If I were Kelly….I would SUE you too!!!! We ALL know that "JUST ME" IS ALSO DENISE KHOUDARY!!!!
You AND your sister have been arrested SEVERAL times…..Kelly HASN'T!!!!!! You and your sister are WHITE TRASH!!!! I don't care WHO's dating WHO….. if Joe Scaila (supposed brother of actor Jack Scalia) is dating your Thieving, Lying, Unethical, Fraudulent Bitch of a sister then I can guarantee…..He's LOST A LARGE FAN BASE!!!!
Shame on YOU and YOUR SISTER…..I hope Karma comes to visit the both of you REAL SOON….
If I were you two…..(after reading ALL the comments people left )…..I would ALWAYS be aware of my surroundings because it sounds like ALOT OF PEOPLE are DONE being scammed by your family. I will recommend however that everyone become a customer of Mr.Canterino's!!!
Have a CHRISTMAS SEASON AS ROTTEN AS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE!!!!
December 9, 2012 at 6:22 PM
You are a bunch of lying swindlers… Denise and Diane are TWINS (Twins realty)…They own properties all over the place.. BROKE?? Diane Khoudary Canterino not only lives in a HUGE mansion on Todt Hill BUT also own properties in Stapleton and Florida..and she cries about her husband and his 'affair' and that she is still married? She has been dating actor JOE SCALIA (brother of Jack Scalia, also an actor) for a VERY long time..YEARS…They were High School sweethearts… Was this always going on…Who cheated on who??? hmmmm!!! You cannot believe a word that comes out of either one of their mouths… as far as Denise.. google her too .. They both have raps sheet long enough to wallpaper a room!!!
December 11, 2012 at 8:37 AM
Eww! Who would ever go out with either one of those beasts? They are both so Fugly!!!
December 9, 2012 at 6:51 PM
unreal
April 24, 2013 at 9:58 PM
I feel for the family. The realtor must be brought to justice; he is without a moral backbone.