Hamptons Cheat Sheet: 19 charged in Montauk rental scheme, O.J. lawyer buys in Sag Harbor … & more

Montauk luxe co-ops with shady past are selling fast

Looks like Montauk is still having its moment. Half of the 12 luxury co-ops known as the Residences at Gurney’s have been snatched up since the units hit the market on Memorial Day weekend. The first two that closed were both two-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot pads listed at $5.35 million, according to Curbed. The co-ops have attracted both local and international buyers, listing broker Ryan Serhant of Nest Seekers International said. It’s been a long time coming for the oceanfront homes. Formerly the Panoramic View hotel, the property sold to brothers-in-law Brian Callahan and Adam Manson in 2007. Before they could convert it into luxury co-ops, however, they were caught running a Ponzi scheme and the business was seized by the government. It wasn’t until last year that the owners of the Gurney’s Resort next door (George Filopoulos of Metrovest and Lloyd Goldman of BLDG Management) acquired the property for $64 million and began redevelopment. The project also includes three freestanding cottages. [Curbed]

19 people charged in Montauk rental scheme

Talk about a packed house. When East Hampton officials raided the 4,000-square-foot house at 13 Beech Hollow Court Saturday morning, they found 18 people staying in nine bedrooms, the East Hampton Star reported. Among them was Alina Gersham, who leased the house for the summer from the owner Thomas Mahl. After creating six additional bedrooms and an illegal basement conversion, Gersham rented the house out to 17 people for as much as $1,800 per room for a weekend, according to a town press release. Many of the illegal units had no emergency exits, the town claims. Gersham and Mahl now face dozens of charges. Mahl, who bought the property for $1.65 million in 2006, was involved in a similar case earlier this year when his house at 16 Gates Avenue was cited as an illegal share house. He was not charged for that infraction. [EHS]

Sharks could be the latest remedy for the Montauk party infestation

Townies must be thrilled. A marine research organization recently discovered what’s possibly the birthing site of great white sharks in the North Atlantic, and it’s right off the coast of Montauk. The finding is “probably the most significant discovery we’ve ever made on the ocean,” Chris Fischer, founder of Ocearch, told CBS. While the knowledge of this shark nursery will allow scientists to better protect the vulnerable species, one could suggest that it serves a secondary purpose: keeping pesky tourists away [LLNYC]

Former O.J. attorney buys Sag Harbor home

No bloody gloves on this estate! Barry Scheck, Queens native and original member of the Dream Team, just bought new digs at 9 Widgeon Lane in Sag Harbor for $1.15 million, 27East reported. The 2,000-square-foot home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a living room with a pot belly stove. Outside, the half-acre property includes an in-ground pool, outdoor shower and brick patio. Beyond helping O.J. Simpson dodge murder charges, Scheck is known for his role founding the Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to exonerate wrongly convicted inmates through DNA testing. [27East]

Packaged desserts family sweetens price on bayfront estate

Units may be selling like hotcakes at Gurney’s, but a nearby Montauk compound has been stuck on the market for two years. Now, its owner, the Entenmann family, has slashed the price of the seven-acre property to a sliver below $18 million — a big markdown from the original ask of $25 million, according to Curbed. Located just down the road from Montauk Airport at 521 East Lake Drive, the property houses four lots: two are empty, one contains a two-bedroom cottage, and the last encompasses a 150-foot dock with three industrial structures, a boathouse and a two-bedroom apartment. [Curbed]

Sisters list triplet Sagaponack compound for $65M

Good things come in threes — as long as you’ve got a big enough wallet. To replicate their family’s tight-knit history in Bensonhurst, sisters Marsha, Linda and Jane Held built three conjoined properties along Poxabogue Pond in 1986. Now, they’re selling the family estate together, asking a cool $65 million. Sprawled across 32 acres, the property includes three main houses, private woods, farmland reserves and its own private road. [LLNYC]

David Geffen plans “very complicated” $2M renovation on East End pad

What’s another $1.9 million if you’ve already dropped $70 million on your dream beach home? Media mogul and noted Hamptons fan David Geffen began negotiations with the East Hampton zoning board last week regarding his elaborate plans to revamp his house at 199 Lily Pond Road, the East Hampton Star reported. In addition to constructing a 1,045-square-foot garage, converting a patio into a cellar, expanding the swimming pool deck, replacing the AC units and building new walkways, Geffen’s renovations call for excavating the dune. And you guessed it — board members are concerned. [EHS]

Sag Harbor community pushes for historic status

As outside money pours into Sag Harbor, homeowners in three historically black neighborhoods are seeking historic preservation status for their rapidly changing community. The residents of Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest and Ninevah subdivisions — known collectively as SANS — petitioned Sag Harbor Village Mayor Sandra Schroeder to survey the subdistrict and grant it historic and cultural designation, 27East reported. During segregation, black working-class families looked to SANS for their summer getaway. And it was here that Amaza Lee Meredith, one of America’s first documented black female architects, built her career, designing homes for friends and family. If the neighborhoods receive the landmark status, home values will likely rise. [27East]