Rape, drugging allegations cap downfall of US luxury real estate stars
Prosecutors claim a long pattern of rape for three brothers charged in real estate sex-trafficking scheme
Brothers Oren and Tal Alexander vaulted to the top echelons of ultra-luxury real estate in 2019 with the sale of a US$238 million Manhattan penthouse – the most expensive deal for a home in US history.
But as the brokers mingled with celebrities and hosted extravagant bashes in New York and Miami, their glamour and prestige allegedly masked a much darker world.
Federal prosecutors arrested the Alexanders and their brother, Alon, on Wednesday, unveiling an indictment accusing them of a pattern of rape and sexual assault dating as far back as high school. The alleged crimes include trafficking women for sex, drugging victims and violent attacks.
Starting at Douglas Elliman Inc. before moving to their own brokerage, Official, the Alexander brothers built their careers in a relationship-dependent industry, mixing their jet-set lifestyle with a hyper-aggressive approach to selling.
Rival brokers had whispered for years of inappropriate behaviour toward woman, even as they ascended to new heights. But it all started to unravel earlier this year when a group of women brought civil allegations against the brothers.
