Santa Barbara Real Estate

Usher, Adam Lambert Targeted in Open House Robbery Scheme

Prosecutors say two men in Los Angeles were arrested after using open houses to rob the homes of celebrities, including singers Usher and Adam Lambert.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said Thursday that 32-year-old realtor Jason Emil Yaselli and 33-year-old Benjamin Ackerman burglarized celebrity homes and other residences between 2016 and 2018. The district attorney’s office said the open houses helped them facilitate the crimes.

Prosecutors say the men face several charges, including money laundering, residential burglary and identity theft. The men are accused of stealing more than $500,000 through fraud and embezzlement.

Yaselli is expected to be arraigned Friday.

Ackerman pleaded not guilty to the allegations during his Aug. 19 arraignment. His attorney said their client has been released from jail, never charged, and claims innocence.

Share this:
Mark Danforth Lomas

Recent Posts

I Madonnari Festival returns Memorial Day Weekend!

Every Memorial Day weekend, our local slice of paradise does something incredible. The historic plaza…

1 day ago

Weekend Open Houses May 23rd & May 24th, 2026

Explore this weekend’s featured open houses across the South Coast. From coastal retreats to hillside…

2 days ago

Market Trends

The Volume Surge: Total sales in April jumped 22% year-over-year. After a slow start to…

1 week ago

Housing

We’ve all seen the headlines. The "1%," the billionaires, the exploding cost of living—and right…

1 week ago

Santa Barbara’s State Street

The Santa Barbara’s State Street Blues. It’s the first time in history a city might spend…

3 weeks ago

Private Listings vs. Pocket Listings

There's been a massive shift in the industry. As of early 2026, Compass has become a true…

4 weeks ago