Judge orders Budget Inn Motel in Massapequa closed after 'nuisance' allegations
A judge has granted the Town of Oyster Bay's request to temporarily shutter the Budget Inn Motel in Massapequa after allegations of criminal activity. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
A state Supreme Court judge has granted the Town of Oyster Bay's request to temporarily close a Massapequa motel over allegations it's a public nuisance and host to “frequent criminal activity."
The town sued the owners of the Budget Inn Motel in New York State Supreme Court earlier this month, seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the Carman Mill Road inn from operating as a hotel or motel. Oyster Bay said the property violated town code.
Judge Conrad Singer on Wednesday granted the request but carved out a stipulation that allowed the motel to continue housing individuals sent there by the Nassau County Department of Social Services.
The department houses individuals at the motel in 24 single-occupancy rooms for $120 per night, per room, Nassau County spokesman Chris Boyle said.
The judge also ordered the business to hire a company to provide constant on-the-premises security after getting town approval.
The owner of the property is listed as Om Shiv Sai Guru Inc. Department of State records show Dhaval Patel listed as its CEO. When contacted, Patel declined to comment.
The town had also asked the court to authorize a search of the premises because it believed the building was unsafe and threatened the health and safety of its occupants. The judge is expected to consider that part of the town’s request at the next court date on March 13.
Kevin O’Brien, the attorney representing the motel, did not respond to a request for comment. In a court filing Tuesday, O’Brien wrote that his client denied nearly all of the town’s allegations and was unaware of some of the issues raised in the suit.
The town’s lawsuit claimed the business was the location of “frequent criminal activity,” said Brian Nevin, an Oyster Bay spokesman.
Nassau County Police Department records cited in the lawsuit showed 15 arrests at the location in 2023, including for criminal possession of a weapon, promotion of prostitution and assault. An investigation into criminal activity at the motel is ongoing, said Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, spokesman for the Nassau County Police Department.
O'Brien, in court papers, said that prior to Wednesday's hearing, the owner of the property had implemented 24-hour surveillance, notified Nassau social services of clients who had caused issues and retained overnight security guards.
Timothy Zike, the town’s deputy commissioner of the department of planning and development, said exterior inspections of the motel since 2017 have led to code violations for a rotted staircase, expired permits and illicit parking of vehicles, according to court documents.
Patel said the steps were replaced and repaired in December 2020, court documents show.
Andrew Preston, the lawyer representing the town in the case, wrote in a court filing that the motel has fallen into a “severe and significant state of disrepair.”
Nevin said the owner of the property “refuses to accept responsibility” for the motel’s use for criminal behavior.
“The town will continue to take actions necessary to ensure public safety for the community,” Nevin said.
A state Supreme Court judge has granted the Town of Oyster Bay's request to temporarily close a Massapequa motel over allegations it's a public nuisance and host to “frequent criminal activity."
The town sued the owners of the Budget Inn Motel in New York State Supreme Court earlier this month, seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the Carman Mill Road inn from operating as a hotel or motel. Oyster Bay said the property violated town code.
Judge Conrad Singer on Wednesday granted the request but carved out a stipulation that allowed the motel to continue housing individuals sent there by the Nassau County Department of Social Services.
The department houses individuals at the motel in 24 single-occupancy rooms for $120 per night, per room, Nassau County spokesman Chris Boyle said.
The judge also ordered the business to hire a company to provide constant on-the-premises security after getting town approval.
The owner of the property is listed as Om Shiv Sai Guru Inc. Department of State records show Dhaval Patel listed as its CEO. When contacted, Patel declined to comment.
The town had also asked the court to authorize a search of the premises because it believed the building was unsafe and threatened the health and safety of its occupants. The judge is expected to consider that part of the town’s request at the next court date on March 13.
Kevin O’Brien, the attorney representing the motel, did not respond to a request for comment. In a court filing Tuesday, O’Brien wrote that his client denied nearly all of the town’s allegations and was unaware of some of the issues raised in the suit.
The town’s lawsuit claimed the business was the location of “frequent criminal activity,” said Brian Nevin, an Oyster Bay spokesman.
Nassau County Police Department records cited in the lawsuit showed 15 arrests at the location in 2023, including for criminal possession of a weapon, promotion of prostitution and assault. An investigation into criminal activity at the motel is ongoing, said Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun, spokesman for the Nassau County Police Department.
O'Brien, in court papers, said that prior to Wednesday's hearing, the owner of the property had implemented 24-hour surveillance, notified Nassau social services of clients who had caused issues and retained overnight security guards.
Timothy Zike, the town’s deputy commissioner of the department of planning and development, said exterior inspections of the motel since 2017 have led to code violations for a rotted staircase, expired permits and illicit parking of vehicles, according to court documents.
Patel said the steps were replaced and repaired in December 2020, court documents show.
Andrew Preston, the lawyer representing the town in the case, wrote in a court filing that the motel has fallen into a “severe and significant state of disrepair.”
Nevin said the owner of the property “refuses to accept responsibility” for the motel’s use for criminal behavior.
“The town will continue to take actions necessary to ensure public safety for the community,” Nevin said.
WHAT TO KNOW
- The Town of Oyster Bay filed a lawsuit against the Budget Inn Motel in Massapequa alleging the motel was structurally dangerous and the host of criminal activity.
- A judge ordered the motel be shuttered, except for clients sent to the motel by the Nassau County Department of Social Services.
- The judge said the motel has to hire 24/7 security approved by the town to protect the property.
Joseph Ostapiuk covers the Town of Oyster Bay and the City of Glen Cove. He joined Newsday in 2023 after spending more than six years at the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com.
