Wealthy Florida brothers go on trial in New York for alleged sex trafficking, abuse

A piece of the Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building, right, glows on an overcast night, Thursday, May 14, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

NEW YORK -- The trial of three wealthy brothers, including two of New York’s top real estate brokers, accused of sexually assaulting and trafficking women and girls for more than a decade was expected to begin on Tuesday.

Oren Alexander, Tal Alexander and Alon Alexander have pleaded not guilty to all charges they respectively faced in an indictment alleging trafficking and other criminal conduct related to seven victims.

Tal Alexander, 39, faces nine charges, and his twin brothers Oren and Alon, 38, face eight each. More than 20 women could be called on to testify, sometimes under pseudonyms to protect their identities. The brothers also face many civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse.

Oren and Tal Alexander co-founded the luxury real estate brokerage Official, while Alon Alexander was an executive at a private security company. A spokesperson had no immediate comment.

The trial is being held in Manhattan federal court.

Prosecutors accused the Alexanders of using their wealth and influence to lure women to lavish parties or luxury locations in such destinations as New York, the Hamptons, Las Vegas and on cruises, where they would drug, sexually assault and rape their victims. The suspected crimes described in the indictment allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2021.

Defense lawyers have contended that the women were willing participants who were not paid to have sex.

The three brothers were arrested in December 2024 and have been jailed pending trial at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Each brother has his own legal defense team. Oren Alexander’s lawyers include Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, who last year defended rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs at his sex trafficking trial.

Prosecutors said on Tuesday the first alleged victim expected to testify met Alon Alexander and Tal Alexander at an NBA Finals watch party at a celebrity’s Manhattan apartment in June 2012, and was raped twice by Alon Alexander after being given drugs and alcohol and losing consciousness.

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis)