Plaintiff Claims Bezos Concealed Identity to Secure Discount on Luxury Mansion
Businessman Leo Kryss asserts that he would have declined the discount if he had been aware that Jeff Bezos was the driving force behind the bid. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Brazilian businessman Leo Kryss, known for his ventures in toys and electronics, is taking legal action against his real estate agent for allegedly convincing him to lower the sale price of his Miami mansion by $6 million without disclosing that the buyer was Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Kryss alleges that had he been aware that Bezos, the world’s second-richest person, was the interested party, he would not have agreed to the reduced price and instead would have sought more than the $79 million he ultimately received for the property.
With a current net worth exceeding $200 billion, Bezos only trails behind Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in wealth. The Amazon founder purchased the 19,000-square-foot property located on Indian Creek island, often referred to as the “billionaires’ bunker” due to its wealthy and famous residents, this past October. The home features luxuries such as a wine cellar, library, and theater, and was originally listed at $85 million.
The lawsuit is directed at Douglas Elliman, the US real estate firm that managed the transaction for both parties, accusing them of intentionally hiding Bezos' involvement.
Court documents reveal that Kryss suspected Bezos might be the buyer, given that he had acquired a neighboring property for $68 million just months earlier. When Kryss asked whether Bezos was the buyer, Douglas Elliman allegedly denied any such knowledge. Kryss had originally purchased the mansion for $28 million in 2014 and was persuaded to let it go for $6 million less than the list price.
It was only after the sale concluded that Kryss learned the buyer was indeed connected to Bezos. Discovering the true identity of the buyer would have significantly influenced his negotiation tactics and his decision on the final price, the legal documents state.
His attorney articulated that the realtor "knew or should have known who the ultimate beneficial purchaser was and misrepresented that very important fact to our client."
Indian Creek island hosts around 41 residences, among them notable figures such as Ivanka Trump, Tom Brady, and Adriana Lima.
In April, Bezos furthered his investments in the area, accruing a total of $237 million with the purchase of a third property on the island for $90 million.
A court hearing regarding the matter is scheduled for October 11.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Kryss alleges that had he been aware that Bezos, the world’s second-richest person, was the interested party, he would not have agreed to the reduced price and instead would have sought more than the $79 million he ultimately received for the property.
With a current net worth exceeding $200 billion, Bezos only trails behind Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in wealth. The Amazon founder purchased the 19,000-square-foot property located on Indian Creek island, often referred to as the “billionaires’ bunker” due to its wealthy and famous residents, this past October. The home features luxuries such as a wine cellar, library, and theater, and was originally listed at $85 million.
The lawsuit is directed at Douglas Elliman, the US real estate firm that managed the transaction for both parties, accusing them of intentionally hiding Bezos' involvement.
Court documents reveal that Kryss suspected Bezos might be the buyer, given that he had acquired a neighboring property for $68 million just months earlier. When Kryss asked whether Bezos was the buyer, Douglas Elliman allegedly denied any such knowledge. Kryss had originally purchased the mansion for $28 million in 2014 and was persuaded to let it go for $6 million less than the list price.
It was only after the sale concluded that Kryss learned the buyer was indeed connected to Bezos. Discovering the true identity of the buyer would have significantly influenced his negotiation tactics and his decision on the final price, the legal documents state.
His attorney articulated that the realtor "knew or should have known who the ultimate beneficial purchaser was and misrepresented that very important fact to our client."
Indian Creek island hosts around 41 residences, among them notable figures such as Ivanka Trump, Tom Brady, and Adriana Lima.
In April, Bezos furthered his investments in the area, accruing a total of $237 million with the purchase of a third property on the island for $90 million.
A court hearing regarding the matter is scheduled for October 11.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
