Standard Hotel rape charges against real estate mogul dropped

First-degree rape charges against Keith Hartigan, a Denver-based real estate mogul and CEO of View West Properties, have been dismissed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the New York Post reported. In February, Hartigan was accused of raping a Citibank vice president in his Standard Hotel room, but the alleged victim did not wish to pursue the matter, assistant district attorney Alexandra Murphy told the Post.

“There are no provable criminal charges,” Murphy said. “It’s unclear whether a crime was committed.”

The woman told police that she had been drinking with Hartigan and a friend at 675 Bar, on Hudson Street, before returning to his hotel room in the Meatpacking District — possibly for a ménage a trois, according to the Post. But the Citibank employee claimed that after she fell asleep, she was woken by Hartigan, who tore off her clothes and raped her.

“The videotape evidence and witness interview show consenting adults interacting in a positive way without any wrongdoing afoot,” said Hartigan’s defense attorney Edward Sapone. “Sometimes people engage in conduct that they unfortunately regret.”

Hartigan’s company has rented Aspen vacation homes to Jack Nicholson, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. Hartigan’s attorney said that while the accusations have hurt Hartigan’s business, he does not plan to sue the woman for making the claims.

“He just wants to get on with his life, he’s not looking for retribution,” the attorney said. [NYP] —Christopher Cameron