Daddy issues: Engel Burman caught up in succession lawsuit

A family feud involving the head of Engel Burman Group exploded after his son filed a lawsuit.

Scott Burman, 44, is suing his father Jan Burman for $14 million, the Daily Beast reported. Scott alleges that Steven Krieger — Jan’s top lieutenant — became jealous of the son’s success and started driving a wedge between the family members. 

Scott claims he was cast aside when the leaders of Engel Burman morphed the company into B2K Development. 

He said that he sourced and managed hundreds of millions of dollars of the firm’s business, even investing at least $5 million of his own money, while revamping and rebranding the company.

As a result, Scott ascended through the firm’s ranks, according to the complaint, and was named president of the construction division in January 2014. 

Scott’s success, however, rubbed Krieger the wrong way, according to the lawsuit. It said Krieger was “threatened” by Scott and worried about his own diminished role in the company, leading Krieger to “meddle” in Scott’s projects. Krieger did not comment on the lawsuit.

Despite Krieger’s involvement leading to cost overruns, missed deadlines and personal financial exposure, Jan still approached Scott about taking on a major leadership role at the firm, according to the lawsuit. Krieger allegedly opposed the succession plan.

In June 2022, Krieger allegedly held an “emergency meeting” with company partners, claiming he would no longer work with Scott. Other executives started to follow Krieger’s lead, according to the complaint, buoyed by Jan resettling in Florida.

Ultimately, Jan and other partners at the company started a firm unveiled a year ago, B2K Development. Scott is not listed as a member of that company’s leadership, but he claimed the company is simply a rebrand of Engel Burman and the same in other significant ways. Scott said he was pressured to sign documents that gave him pause regarding the business entity.

Jan told the publication he was unaware of the litigation and laughed after hearing a summary of the complaint. He declined to say more.

Engel Burman is best known for its assisted-living developments, which have proliferated throughout the tri-state region. The company’s property portfolio grew as large as $3 billion, according to Scott, who joined the firm in 2001.

Scott is also suing for attorneys’ fees and punitive damages.

— Holden Walter-Warner

Read more

Tri-State

Sale prompts restart of long-delayed Long Beach resi project

New York

Engel Burman opens 180-bed, 200K sf assisted living facility in Jericho

Tri-State

Long Island developer tangles over tax breaks for lux senior homes