This week brought sweet relief to New York City Mayor Eric Adams when a federal judge dismissed the corruption charges against him. The judge also dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be renewed, bucking the request of the Department of Justice.
Elected officials and former federal prosecutors viewed the DOJ’s request as an attempt to keep leverage over the mayor to ensure compliance with immigration policies and other priorities under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Shortly after the dismissal, Adams decided he would run in his reelection campaign as an independent and skip the Democratic primary.
While Adams was let off the corruption hook, Nir Meir was let out of prison. The former HFZ Capital Group spent more than a year on Rikers Island, but was released on a $1 million fully secured bail bond and put into 24-hour home confinement.
Meir will live in an undisclosed residence in New York City, only permitted to leave his home for court appearances and pre-approved attorney visits.
Prosecutors allege Meir masterminded an $86 million fraud scheme that involved moving money out of accounts designated for HFZ Capital Group projects.
Another person leaving their home? Tal Alexander’s estranged wife, Arielle, who vacated her 432 Park Avenue apartment on Monday night ahead of the lease expiration.
The owner of the unit served Tal with a nonpayment notice for allegedly failing to pay rent for March, setting the former top broker up for possible eviction. The unit is on the market, asking $55,000 a month, according to StreetEasy.
Tal and his brothers, Oren and Alon Alexander, are being held on federal charges at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
On the outs from their job — presumably not their home — is Fortress Investment Group managing director Steve Stuart, The Real Deal learned this week. He’s been with the firm since 2002, leading the company’s new business origination for the credit and real estate team.
Stuart is believed to be leaving on good terms and the exit is mutual, sources said.
Finally, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen welcomed his team and his new prized player, Juan Soto, at Citi Field for the first time this season on Friday. Cohen is trying to welcome a casino to the adjacent parking lot and appears to be making progress.
State Sen. John Liu announced that he would sponsor a parkland alienation bill for the proposed casino complex west of Citi Field, despite representing a minority of the acreage covered by the Metropolitan Park plan.
For good measure, Cohen and Hard Rock International also partnered with Slate Property Group to add 450 affordable housing units to their Queens casino plan, albeit on a different site.
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Steve Cohen sweetens casino proposal with 450 affordable units
Judge tosses criminal case against Mayor Eric Adams
Tal Alexander’s reign at 432 Park is officially over