44.2 F
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024

Taxi King’s Wife gets Chump Change for ‘Stolen’ Chandeliers

Related Articles

-Advertisement-

Must read

Estranged spouses Gene and Sandra Freidman have been in bitter court battles over their divorce.

According to court papers, the estranged wife of taxi kingpin Gene Freidman undersold the two chandeliers that she allegedly stole from the couple’s Upper East Side townhouse. The crystal chandeliers that are said to have a combined value greater than $300,000, were sold for a mere $13,000.

In a Manhattan Supreme Court Affidavit, the 25-year-old Sandra Freidman said, “I was simply seeking to monetize the limited assets that accrued to me pursuant to our prenuptial agreement.”

Sandra receives in their divorce settlement, a lump sum of $5 million, spousal support equal to $31,000 a month as well as the couple’s townhouse on East 65th Street with everything inside.

In the court papers, Sandra admits to selling the Baccarat light fixtures to a Russian investor who resides in Great Neck, Long Island, for the low price of $13,000.

Despite Gene’s argument that the chandeliers were stolen by Sandra, she insists that they rightfully belonged to her in accordance with their prenup that grants her the contents of the marital home. Sandra also says that based on an estimate provided by Doyle New York, an auction house on the Upper East Side, the light fixtures were worth only $13,000.

However, Rhonda Ores, Gene’s lawyer, said that the estimates provided by Doyle did not account for the lights being part of Baccarat’s “iconic Zenith collection and were both 48-light chandeliers.” According to Ores, on Baccarat’s website, the clear crystal chandelier goes for $147,600.

Papers state that the other chandelier in “clair de rouge” retails for $192,700, according to Baccarat consultant Ramina Raiford.

The Post reports: “Gene wants Sandra held in contempt of court for the alleged theft, which also included wall sconces and other light fixtures. He said their removal left unsightly exposed wiring throughout his 4,000-square-foot home.

His lawyers argue that light fixtures are not part of the home’s contents and want the value of the ‘stolen’ property deducted from her settlement.

A contract of sale reveals that Sandra sold 14 other items, including a ‘pair of gold and marble cigarette side tables’ and a ‘gilded gold Louis XVI mirror’ for $25,930 to businessman Michael Vasinkevich.

In the papers, Sandra claims Gene has hired private investigators to follow her.”

Gene pled guilty to harassment in August as part of a plea deal after allegedly slamming Sandra into a wall mere weeks before she filed for divorce. Since then, the couple has been fighting for custody of Leyla, their 2-year-old daughter.

Gene got his nickname as the Taxi King, because he owns the most medallions in the city, around 900. He has recently been flung into dire straits from the stark competition brought by cab apps such as Uber.

In order to protect some of his medallions, Gene filed for bankruptcy, but creditor still threaten to seize other medallion for the millions of dollars in loans he has defaulted on.

Hannah Hayes

balance of natureDonate

Latest article

- Advertisement -