T
he complaint filed on Nov. 3 in the New York Supreme Court seeks $500 million in damages from The Real Deal (TRD). The Alexander brothers—Tal, Oren, and Alon—argue that TRD deliberately published false, misleading stories accusing them of rape and sexual abuse, and that the publication ignored or suppressed exculpatory evidence provided by Oren. They claim the coverage was a “click‑bait” campaign designed to boost subscriptions and appease advertisers, and that TRD falsely reported a threat from Oren on March 6, 2025. The suit alleges TRD’s conduct was willful, malicious, and reckless, causing permanent harm to the brothers’ professional and personal reputations.

    The lawsuit follows the brothers’ arrest in December 2024 on charges of sex trafficking that span decades. Federal authorities allege they lured dozens of victims to isolated locations using their real‑estate prominence, drugged them, and raped them. TRD began reporting on the allegations in June 2024. The brothers are now awaiting trial, have been denied bail by both circuit and appellate courts, and face additional civil suits from alleged victims.

    The complaint was filed five months after the Alexander brothers initiated a defamation suit against TRD. It accuses the publication of intentionally publishing false narratives and refusing to publish any material that could challenge its story. The plaintiffs also claim TRD’s unlawful conduct was “knowing, malicious, willful, and wanton,” showing a reckless disregard for their rights.

    The Alexander brothers’ ties to the real‑estate industry are significant. Tal and Oren worked at Douglas Elliman for over a decade during the 2010s, when some of the alleged assaults occurred. Elliman faced scrutiny over its handling of assault claims, contributing to leadership changes last year: CEO Howard Lorber resigned in Oct. 2024 and Scott Durkin was fired shortly thereafter. In 2022, the brothers founded their own brokerage, Official, and have since taken leaves of absence.

    The lawsuit seeks both punitive and compensatory damages, asserting that TRD’s false reporting has inflicted irreparable harm on the brothers’ reputations. The case remains pending, with the brothers awaiting trial and continuing to confront both criminal and civil proceedings.