Gottlieb estate sues 'broker' for $10M
The administrator of the estate of William Gottlieb, a real estate mogul, is seeking $10 million in damages from a man he claims falsely represented himself as a broker for Gottlieb's vast holdings.
The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court Tuesday, charges that Andrew Carenza identified himself to a number of real estate brokers as an agent for the Gottlieb company without a license and without its consent.
The suit said he and the Regal Real Estate Group, a company registered at Carenza's Woodmere address, had entered into negotiations for the sale of several of the company's properties and told individuals that he was in contract to buy others, the suit said. The properties were not identified in the filing.
Because of Carenza's actions, the civil complaint alleges that William Gottlieb Company suffered "damage to its business reputation throughout the New York metropolitan area."
Neil Bender, the executor of the Gottlieb estate, brought the suit against Carenza and the Regal Real Estate Group. Carenza is not a licensed broker in New York, according to state records. The Regal Real Estate Group was registered with the state Department of State in 2005 at an address in Woodmere. A woman reached at the company address would only say that Carenza had moved to California.
Justice Louis York held a hearing Friday on a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order, and the next court date was set for September 23, according the state court's Web site.
Gottlieb, a low-profile owner who died in 1999, was known for a buy-and-hold philosophy and for being difficult to negotiate with, according to real estate professionals. The William Gottlieb Company portfolio contains approximately 125 buildings in Manhattan valued at about $1 billion.
"The Gottlieb company is extremely confidential and does not announce any of their plans to the media. They very rarely work with outside brokers or consultants," said Eric Anton, executive managing director at brokerage Eastern Consolidated, who was not familiar with Carenza or the lawsuit.
The suit does not allege any money was taken or any contracts were signed. A spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office said there were no criminal charges filed against Carenza.
Comments
Anonymous
We were on to this idiot ages ago and we're glad he was finally called on his lies. He has tried to sway a number of innocents into thinking that he's some sort of real estate mogul, when in fact, he's just an ego driven liar, without a penny to his name.
Comment #1 Posted By: Anonymous 09/06/08
Anonymous
Screw gotlieb
Comment #2 Posted By: Anonymous 09/07/08
Anonymous
How could the Gottlieb's reputation be any worst. They are frequently acknowledged as biggest slum lord downtown.
Comment #3 Posted By: Anonymous 09/07/08
Anonymous
maybe so, but this has nothing to do with Gottlieb. It's about a person who was crazy enuf to try and sell property he didn't even own. He must have upset a lot of people.
What a story!
And we also have a Bridge to sell in a new area called Brooklyn.
Comment #4 Posted By: Anonymous 09/08/08
Anonymous
Carenza is a classical sociopath with no regard for any human values; or, he is completely dilusional and thinks he has something to do with Gottlieb. in any event, he is a walking disaster.
Comment #5 Posted By: Anonymous 09/12/08
Anonymous
#5 You are completely correct in all regards. Your first comment is probably most accurate although hard to say.
Comment #6 Posted By: Anonymous 09/12/08
Anonymous
a menace to society. dilusional, manipulative and destructive to anyone he meets. sadly beyond repair
Comment #7 Posted By: Anonymous 09/21/08
Anonymous
I don't know about Carenza, and he may very well have been wrong, but Neil Bender is the most despicable landlord the Village has now. His way of dealing with anyone associated with the Gottlieb properties since taking over from his mother last year has been shameful and unprofessional to say the very least. He is letting properties rot, evicting commercial tenants and letting all of the buildings fall into disrepair. Whether through mismanagement or incompetence the end result is people living in the buildings and in the Village suffer because of it. Bill Gottlieb knew what he was doing. Real estate people laugh at what Neil Bender has over there working for him. What a mess they are.
Comment #8 Posted By: Anonymous 09/29/08
Anonymous
Indeed. But what do you mean, living in the past? Was he once normal? Hard to believe. He probably even wrote the comments above about Bender & Gottlieb to try & switch the focus. Deranged. Don't believe a word.
Above, 'sociopath' comment. Do you care to identify yourself?
Comment #9 Posted By: Anonymous 11/04/08
Anonymous
Mr. Andrew Carenza is not perfect. However he is a generous caring person who will nelp anyone in need. Just because a few greedy people did not make a million dollar score off of one of these deals,does not mean Mr. Carenza should be blamed.They own greed is the cause of there problems.
Comment #10 Posted By: Anonymous 11/21/08
Anonymous
I would like to know how Mr.Gottlieb or one of his associates could be sucked into such a bad deal.Seems strange to say the least.Perhaps that what they wanted to happen to creat a law suit.
Comment #11 Posted By: Anonymous 11/21/08
David Shapiro
I have read the preceding comments, which I find to be troublesome and erroneous. I know Mr. Carenza for many years and he is a very honorable individual. I see that all these comments are Anonymous and lack any real substance. The remarks are slanderous and defamatory. This case will be settled properly and the facts will reflect that Mr. Carenza has been harmed by an individual, who lacks any moral fiber.
Comment #12 Posted By: David Shapiro 11/25/08
Anonymous
look- he was trying to sell property he doesn't even own or represent. This upset brokers & potential buyers. the public who reads this publication, don't insult us by claiming your friend is honorable. at the very least he took it too far with his grandiose imagination. he wasted people's time & none of us are pleased about that.
Comment #13 Posted By: Anonymous 11/29/08
G.S.
#11. Gottlieb & Co were not sucked into any deal. Unbeknownst to them, Carenza was claiming he owned some of their holdings &/or that he was their appointed broker. According to story above, niether were true. The eventual court ruling will tell the rest of this screwy story.
Comment #14 Posted By: G.S. 11/29/08
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