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Federal authorities have charged two high-profile real estate brokers and their brother with sex trafficking, accusing them of luring, drugging, and assaulting numerous women over the past decade.
Tal and Oren Alexander, renowned real estate brokers who rose to prominence at Douglas Elliman, along with their brother Alon Alexander, were arrested Wednesday morning, according to an FBI spokesperson in New York. The trio is expected to appear in court later in the day in Miami.
The indictment alleges that the Alexander brothers orchestrated a scheme with other men to drug and sexually assault women in New York, Miami, and other locations. Prosecutors claim the brothers leveraged their affluence and elite status to attract victims by offering luxurious travel, upscale accommodations, and exclusive event access. Once the victims were in their company, the men allegedly assaulted them, sometimes within hours of meeting.
According to prosecutors, the assaults were premeditated. The brothers purportedly used promises of luxury experiences to lure victims to locations where the attacks occurred, often involving multiple perpetrators. Authorities allege the Alexanders funded the women’s travel expenses, selected targets based on shared photos, and contacted them via social media or dating apps. Party promoters were also allegedly involved in recruiting women, and drugs like cocaine, mushrooms, and GHB were obtained in advance.
The indictment describes the alleged assaults as violent and calculated, claiming the brothers drugged victims’ drinks to incapacitate them. Victims were reportedly held down during the attacks, with their pleas for help ignored.
Isabelle Kirschner, a lawyer who previously represented Oren and Alon Alexander in civil sex trafficking lawsuits, confirmed their arrest but declined to comment further. Deanna Paul, attorney for Tal Alexander, also confirmed his arrest but provided no additional remarks. Douglas Elliman, the firm associated with the brothers, has not issued a statement.
The real estate company has faced prior allegations of sexual misconduct involving its agents, leading to a decline in its stock value and the abrupt resignation of former CEO Howard Lorber in October.
The three brothers face charges of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and the sex trafficking of a victim in 2016. Tal Alexander faces additional charges related to the trafficking of another victim in July 2011. Prosecutors claim the assaults continued through 2021.
A press conference by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET.
The brothers are also defendants in multiple civil lawsuits accusing them of orchestrating and committing sexual assaults. One suit alleges Tal and Alon Alexander raped a woman in 2012 during an assault planned and facilitated by Oren Alexander.
The brothers’ representatives have previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
