Alexander Brothers Trial: Prosecutors Allege Rape Plot

A federal trial began Tuesday in New York for three brothers from a wealthy family, Alon, Oren, and Tal Alexander. Prosecutors say the men used their money and connections to invite women and girls to parties, trips, and celebrity events over more than a decade, then raped them. The charges include sex trafficking and multiple counts of rape. The brothers deny all the claims.

Background

The Alexander brothers grew up in a rich household in Miami. Oren and Alon are 38-year-old twins, and Tal is 39. They moved into real estate in New York City, where they built a business selling high-end homes to celebrities and wealthy clients. Their lifestyle included throwing big parties in places like Manhattan and the Hamptons. Women from around the world attended these events, drawn by promises of fun, travel, and meetings with famous people.

Prosecutors claim this glamorous image hid a darker reality. Starting around 2010, the brothers allegedly targeted dozens of women. They face charges from incidents in New York, Miami, and even overseas. More than 60 women have come forward with similar stories since the case broke two years ago. The brothers lost their real estate jobs and now sit in court facing possible life sentences if convicted.

The case landed in federal court in Manhattan under Judge Valerie Caproni. Before opening statements, the judge turned down a defense request to question witnesses about their social media posts on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The defense said it showed bias against the brothers, who are Israeli and Jewish. Judge Caproni ruled it had no place in the trial.

Key Details

Prosecutor Madison Smeyser told the jury of six men and six women that the brothers acted as a team. She said they lured victims with offers of free trips to the Hamptons, exclusive parties, and chances to meet stars. Once alone with the women, the assaults happened.

"These three brothers masqueraded as party boys when really they were predators," Smeyser said. "The brothers used whatever means necessary — sometimes drugs, sometimes alcohol, sometimes brute force — to carry out their rapes."

Smeyser described specific cases. One involved Oren Alexander and a 17-year-old girl known as Amelia in court. Prosecutors plan to show a video of the alleged rape. The girl was drunk and could not remember it, Smeyser said.

Alleged Assaults by Each Brother

Alon Alexander faces claims from a woman at a Manhattan party. She woke up to find him naked over her. When she said no, he laughed, said it had already happened, and assaulted her again, prosecutors say.

Tal Alexander invited a woman to the Hamptons. There, he chased her into a shower, grabbed her neck, and raped her from behind as she cried no, according to Smeyser.

Prosecutors also pointed to text messages. After some encounters, the brothers sent excited messages celebrating. Others showed worry about complaints from women. One text called the only risk "some ho complaining."

The defense painted a different picture. Lawyer Teny Geragos, for Oren, said the brothers were ambitious men who chased women for sex. "That's not trafficking. That's dating. That's hooking up," she told the jury. Many accusers will use fake names and may want money or cover regret, she added.

Deanna Paul, for Tal, admitted the brothers' talk was crude and arrogant. "It was crude, it was arrogant, it will make you cringe," she said. "But we're not here for the Asshole Awards."

Paul asked jurors to judge each brother separately. She noted Tal often had no link to his brothers' alleged acts. Lawyers for Alon held off their opening statement until the next day.

Smeyser said the brothers gave women trips and parties as bait — key to the trafficking charges, which need proof of value exchanged for sex. The defense said no such proof exists; women chose to join freely.

What This Means

A conviction would send a strong message about rich, connected men using status to harm women. The case tests how far prosecutors can go with sex trafficking laws in non-commercial rape scenarios. Over 60 accusers mean the trial could last weeks, with emotional testimony from victims using pseudonyms.

For the real estate world in New York, the Alexanders' fall marks the end of their rise. They once handled multimillion-dollar deals. Now, their names carry a stain that could affect future careers or deals.

The brothers' family wealth adds layers. Their parents provided luxury homes and travel, which prosecutors say fueled the scheme. Defense lawyers stress the men are not criminals, just flawed.

Jurors must sift through videos, texts, and stories from many women. They heard promises of proof like recordings and messages. The outcome could set examples for similar cases involving party scenes and elite circles.

Witnesses start testifying soon. Updates will follow as the trial moves forward in Manhattan federal court.