Mining mogul and billionaire Ira Rennert is becoming an unwelcome neighbor in the Hamptons due to his use of a massive 19-person helicopter to travel to and from his 63-acre seaside estate, CNBC reported (see video above). The helicopter is apparently so powerful that it is shaking the walls of nearby homes and causing considerable noise pollution. Neighbors are reportedly organizing to block Rennert’s use of the deafening machine. Rennert’s Sagaponack home is one of the largest in the nation at 43,000 square feet and has been nicknamed “the house that ate the Hamptons” after the novel by James Brady it inspired.
Neighbors say between the home and helicopter, Rennert has “become a symbol of excess” in the wealthy enclave.
Rennert is also facing a lawsuit filed by fellow billionaire and colleague Ronald Perelman which claims that he took a $100 million loan from their company for personal use. Rennert is countersuing Perelman, accusing him of similar abuses. [CNBC]