Amir Korangy, founder and publisher of real estate news organization The Real Deal, issued the following statement:
Late last week, almost exactly one year after The Real Deal broke the news of their alleged assault of two women in two separate lawsuits, the Alexander brothers filed a legal summons against us.
It’s not every day someone tries to launder their reputation by suing the press for half a billion dollars. But in an era where billionaires equate tough reporting with personal offense, this kind of legal stunt is unfortunately becoming more common.
Let’s be clear: this lawsuit is not about justice. It’s an attempt to stop investigative journalism and bully a newsroom for doing its job. The Real Deal’s reporting was fair and conscientious, and we are confident the courts will see this for what it is — a frivolous and cynical attempt to weaponize the legal system.
The First Amendment is the cornerstone of a free society. When powerful figures use the courts to punish the press, they’re not just attacking a media outlet — they’re attacking the public’s right to know. We look forward to this case being tossed out, and we believe those who abuse the legal process to silence the press should be held accountable.
There is a 20 year history of alleged attacks against women here. Others have been shut down in the past in trying to tell this story before The Real Deal broke the news.
If anything, this only strengthens our resolve to keep doing what we do best: reporting the truth.
