R
eal estate attorney Mark Nussbaum has closed his law firm, Nussbaum Lowinger LLP, amidst allegations that he refused to hand over escrow funds. The move comes as a lawsuit filed by an entity connected to nursing home manager Jacob Sod alleges Nussbaum failed to deliver $15 million in escrow money. According to the complaint, the funds were allegedly used by Nussbaum to demonstrate purchasing power.

    Nussbaum has denied any wrongdoing, calling the lawsuit a "confused mess of scandalous conspiracy theories." His law firm has retained counsel, Ethan Kobre, who is handling the wind-down process and advising clients with escrow accounts to contact him directly.

    The lawsuit also reveals previously unreported links between Nussbaum and late real estate investor Mendel Steiner, who died last week at 33. Steiner had amassed thousands of apartments across the country but struggled financially in recent years, facing a foreclosure in South Florida.

    Filings show that Steiner's company, Georgetown Residents LLC, received a $15 million loan from Nussbaum's clients, with Nussbaum acting as signatory on the loan documents. However, Nussbaum claims his law firm has no obligations under the loan and is not responsible for returning the escrow funds.

    The connection between Steiner and Nussbaum remains unclear, but corporate records reveal that Georgetown Residents LLC shares a business address with Aven Realty, a company linked to Steiner's real estate ventures.