Wealthy Brothers Used Fortune to Lure, Drug and Sexually Assault Women, Prosecutor Alleges
A federal prosecutor has told jurors that the wealthy Alexander brothers systematically used their substantial wealth to lure, drug and sexually assault numerous women and girls, employing consistent tactics of humiliation and exploitation across multiple incidents.
"Devastating Evidence" Presented in Closing Arguments
In a powerful closing argument following four weeks of testimony in the siblings' federal sex trafficking trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Jones presented what he described as "devastating evidence" against Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander. The prosecutor reviewed the harrowing accounts of 11 women who allege they were sexually assaulted by one or more of the brothers.
"The allegations are corroborated by the sheer number of victims who testified," Jones emphasized to the court. "These are women who have never met each other and live completely different lives, but they have one horrific thing in common: they were raped by these men."
Bragging About Crimes in Blog Posts and Messages
Far from concealing their alleged activities, the brothers reportedly bragged about their exploits in blog posts with disturbing titles that included "It's not rape if" and exchanged text messages detailing their actions. According to the prosecution, they even emailed about sneaking drugs—referred to as "party favors"—onto a cruise ship.
"You know this playbook because the defendants did this multiple times," Jones stated, chronicling alleged assaults that occurred at Hamptons mansions, New York City apartments, during an Aspen ski trip, and on a Caribbean cruise. One woman testified that Alon Alexander raped her in 2012 just hours after they met at actor Zac Efron's Manhattan apartment, though Efron himself was not accused of any wrongdoing.
High-Profile Brothers Plead Not Guilty
Oren and Tal Alexander, who work as high-end real estate brokers known as "The A Team," along with their brother Alon, an executive at their family's private security firm, have all pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and related charges.
In his closing argument, defense lawyer Howard Srebnick representing Alon Alexander argued that prosecutors were conflating the brothers' "obnoxious" and admittedly inappropriate banter with serious criminal allegations. Srebnick contended that while Alon "should be and is embarrassed" by the language he used, "talk doesn't constitute a crime." The defense's closing arguments are scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
Disturbing Details of Alleged Assaults Emerge
The prosecution presented disturbing details of the alleged assaults, including a video from 2009 showing Oren Alexander apparently raping a drugged 17-year-old at the Manhattan apartment he shared with his brothers. Jones told jurors that Oren recorded the video with his laptop computer and could be seen adjusting the angle before the alleged assault.
"When you saw him pick up her limp legs and climb on top of her lifeless body, you knew what you were seeing," Jones said of the video evidence.
On another occasion, Jones described how two of the brothers and two other men allegedly raped a 16-year-old boarding school student who had skipped her prom to join them in the Hamptons. A photo of the girl sleeping topless was later found on one of the brothers' laptop hard drives. Now in her 30s, she testified that the assault only ended when she managed to kick one of the men away, after which Tal Alexander told her: "Don't be mad at me."
Victims Display Courage in Courtroom
Jones highlighted the courage shown by the women who testified, noting that one witness was the daughter of a billionaire. "There's not been an ounce of shame in this courtroom," the prosecutor stated. "What walked into this courtroom was not shame. It was courage and resolve. It was the truth."
The prosecutor urged jurors to reject defense claims that prosecutors were criminalizing "hookup culture" or that accusers were motivated by shame or financial gain. "Now that you've seen these women for yourselves, you know how wrong that is," Jones concluded.
The trial continues with the defense presenting its closing arguments, as the Alexander brothers face serious federal charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
