search

The Real Deal Logo

Trending

Glossier founder is buyer of $22M Brooklyn townhouseGlossier founder is buyer of $22M Brooklyn townhouseSwig finds new bottom with DTLA office sale at $94 a sfSwig finds new bottom with DTLA office sale at $94 a sfBillionaire hedge funder Larry Robbins makes South Florida moveBillionaire hedge funder Larry Robbins makes South Florida moveHow Hochul played the “good cause eviction” game, and wonHow Hochul played the “good cause eviction” game, and won
New York

Divine intervention helps developer out of ungodly mess

Howard Neu was sentenced to community service for beating broker with a bamboo stick

Father Brian Jordan
Father Brian Jordan

Lord have mercy!

A judge granted clemency to a developer who was convicted of physically beating a broker, after apparently being moved by the pleas of the man’s pastor, who attested to his good character.

Howard Neu was sentenced to 200 hours of community service instead of 60 days in jail after being convicted of harassing broker Gregory Rogers, the New York Post reported. According to a criminal complaint, Neu roughed up Rogers with a bamboo stick and also told him, “I just saw your girlfriend. I should have f—ed her up.” The two were engaged in a dispute over a commission.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

At Neu’s sentencing, Father Brian Jordan, a priest who blessed the steel beam cross at Ground Zero, vouched for his character.

“When I met Howard, I knew right away he was a good, upright man. It’s better time served for New York,” Jordan said. “He’s already been humbled by this.”

Neu will spend his community service hours completing renovations at St. John the Baptist Church food pantry in Midtown.

Neu was rearrested three times for violating an order of protection on Rogers, which his attorney claimed was because they live on the same block. [NYP] — Tess Hofmann