Alexander brothers are convicted of sex trafficking in case that shocked real estate world
NEW YORK — Three brothers, including two of the nation’s most successful luxury real estate brokers, were convicted of sex trafficking charges Monday after a five-week trial over accusations that they used drugs and force to rape scores of women they had dazzled with their wealth and opulent lifestyle.
The verdict came after 11 women testified they were sexually assaulted by one or more of the brothers: twins Oren and Alon Alexander, 38, and Tal Alexander, 39. All three of the men shook their heads as the jury foreperson said “guilty” 19 times as the verdict questions considered by jurors were read aloud. Tal Alexander dropped his head into his arms crossed before him.
Sentencing was set for Aug. 6, when the brothers could face up to life in prison. They remain jailed.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement that the sex crimes highlighted in the trial “are all too prevalent in our society and all too often go unreported and unpunished. The truth is sex trafficking and other federal sex offenses are present in many walks of life and we have not done enough to root it out.”
Marc Agnifilo, a defense lawyer who spoke outside the courthouse, said it was “not the verdict we were looking for but we’re going to keep fighting.”
“We believe in our clients’ innocence and we’re not going to stop fighting until we prevail, and we believe that we will one day prevail. Today was not the outcome we were looking for, obviously, but … our resolve is unshaken,” he said.
Agnifilo said the defendants were disappointed with the verdict. He said he believed there were many appeals issues that will be raised in the future.
The women described attacks that occurred after they were invited to vacation locales including the Hamptons, a Caribbean cruise and a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado. More than 60 women say they were raped by one or more of the brothers, according to prosecutors.
Defense lawyers suggested the accusers had faulty memories or were hoping to cash in on the brothers’ fortunes. The brothers, their lawyers conceded, were womanizers. But they insisted any sex was consensual.
The jury began deliberating Thursday and worked through Friday and into Monday, when they sent several notes seeking clarification on the law regarding two charges.
All three men were convicted of the top counts: conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. Alon and Tal Alexander were convicted of sex trafficking of a minor while Alon and Oren Alexander were convicted of aggravated sexual abuse by force or intoxicant and sexual abuse of a physically incapacitated person. Oren Alexander was also convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor.
When the verdict was announced, the brothers’ parents shook their heads. Alon Alexander’s wife held a hand against her face.
The verdict represented a spectacular fall for Oren and Tal Alexander, who were brokers at real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman before starting their own firm, Official. Alon Alexander worked at the family’s private security firm.
