Three brothers, including two of the United States’ most prominent luxury real estate brokers, have been convicted of sex trafficking following a five-week trial that drew widespread attention within the real estate industry.
A jury delivered the guilty verdict on Monday, March 9, after hearing testimony from multiple women who accused the brothers of drugging and sexually assaulting them.
The defendants twin brothers Oren and Alon Alexander, both 38, and their older brother Tal Alexander, 39 — were accused by 11 women who testified in court that they were assaulted by one or more of the brothers.
According to prosecutors, many of the alleged assaults occurred after the women were invited on lavish trips and exclusive getaways arranged by the brothers. These included visits to luxury destinations such as the Hamptons, a Caribbean cruise and a ski trip to Aspen, Colorado.
Authorities said more than 60 women have accused one or more of the brothers of rape or sexual assault over the years.
Defense lawyers argued during the trial that the accusers had inconsistent memories or were motivated by the possibility of financial compensation. While acknowledging that the brothers had reputations as womanizers, the defense maintained that all sexual encounters were consensual.
Before the scandal erupted, Oren and Tal Alexander were high-profile brokers at the luxury real estate firm Douglas Elliman before leaving to start their own company, Official. Their brother, Alon Alexander, worked in the family’s private security business.
Aside from the criminal case, the brothers are also facing nearly two dozen civil lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault or harassment.
One of the lawsuits was filed by Tracy Tutor, a reality television personality known for the show “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.” She alleged that Oren Alexander drugged and assaulted her in a restaurant bathroom during a real estate event in New York City.
As the lawsuits became public, additional women came forward claiming the brothers’ behaviour had long been an open secret within parts of the real estate industry.
During the trial, several witnesses testified that they suspected they had been drugged after accepting drinks from one of the brothers. Some said they lost physical control after consuming very small amounts of alcohol.
Prosecutors said the brothers often met women at nightclubs, parties and through dating apps before inviting them on expensive trips with flights and luxury accommodation fully paid for.
One witness told the court she first encountered the brothers at a 2012 party held at the Manhattan apartment of actor Zac Efron. She said the actor had no involvement in the incident but later recalled waking up naked with Alon Alexander standing over her.
Prosecutors dismissed claims that the women were motivated by financial gain. They noted that only two of the accusers had filed civil suits and that both were already wealthy.
Another woman testified that she was raped by Alon Alexander in Aspen in 2017 when she was just 17 years old. She told the court she is the daughter of a billionaire.
“I don’t want their money. I just don’t want them to have it,” she told jurors.
Lindsey Acree, a Brooklyn-based artist and gallery owner, also testified that Tal Alexander and another man raped her at a Hamptons residence in 2011 after she became severely disoriented from drinking less than half a glass of wine.
Now 40, she said she decided to file a lawsuit last year after the brothers publicly described their accusers as “gold diggers” and “con artists.”
“If there’s a kid with a stick who keeps hitting people, you take the stick away,” she told the jury. “Money is their stick, so you take it away so they can’t hurt people anymore.”
Prosecutors also presented text messages and emails allegedly sent by the brothers in which they boasted about sexual encounters and discussed the use of drugs to lower a woman’s inhibitions.
Investigators said they also uncovered references to smuggling drugs onto a cruise ship, along with evidence suggesting at least one assault had been recorded and images of victims were shared.
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