Celestinia Bishop gained national notoriety when she went viral for climbing a wall at a defunct Compton cemetery that she has now assumed ownership of. In a live video on her social media, Bishop explains why she is closing the nearly 11 acre property, three months after taking ownership, and announced plans to sell it.
“I want you to hear it from me the owner,” said Bishop.
Bishop was granted a huge break when LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang helped with reducing the back owed property taxes from $840,000 to $20,000, through the Tax Collector’s office. Bishop raised close to $7,000 through GoFundMe, and received two large donations from donors, who she says she paid back.
Compton Councilwoman Michelle Chambers, currently works in the Assessor’s office as a special assistant to Prang. Residents allege Chambers worked closely with Bishop to save the property.
Bishop played two audio recordings of phone calls she received, that turned ugly over a dispute about what family members can place on their loved ones burial spaces. The calls included racial slurs, and for her to “watch her back”.
There are currently no public listings showing the property for sale, however, on PropertyShark.com it detailed the property was listed for $3.2 million February 24. Days before Bishop went “Live” on Facebook March 1.
Would LA County have reduced the tax debt if they knew she would turnaround and list the property for sell three months later?
Bishop has yet to respond to requests for comment.
**Editor’s note: Ms. Bishop has changed her mind and won’t be selling the property.
2 Comments
Bingo!
Caller doesn’t sound white. I detected a spanish accent on certain words. Listen closely. This whole thing sounds fishy. The gates have been closed on the cemetery for over a month, and now this. As emotional as she is, she doesn’t even look upset. After all she went through to get where she is, she’s just, “Oh well”?????