MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Self-described "billionaire" Silvio Scaglia's attempt to have Julia Haart, the star of the Netflix reality series 'My Unorthodox Life', evicted from their opulent Manhattan apartment, was unsuccessful, as per reports. The fashion designer said Scaglia, 64, had "cried poverty" in an attempt to have her expelled from the $70 million penthouse property in Tribeca in a declaration issued earlier this year.
Scaglia had attempted to compel the sale of the property using the excuse that Elite World Group (EWG), the business he formerly founded and co-ran with 52-year-old Haart, was in such "distress." Haart retaliated, calling him out for "highly reckless spending" that was "draining the coffers." Haart has now prevailed in her battle to remain in her home, according to a legal decision issued by the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday, May 23 and obtained by DailyMail.
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Why did Silvio Scaglia need to sell Tribeca property?
According to Scaglia, selling the apartment was necessary to support his modeling firm Elite World Group and its corporate parent, Freedom, which he said was experiencing "financial hardship." The-64-year-old billionaire failed in his attempt to sell the flat or force her to pay the living expenses which he estimated to be close to $170,000 a month.
'Neither party seems inclined to conclude the various litigations'
Judge Douglas Hoffman mentioned in his decision that the ex-couple, who were married for only two years, had filed many petitions in this case alone, which is only one among several that are underway in both New York and Delaware. The court has "urged the parties to turn down the 'scorched earth' method of litigation in a short-term marriage and to meaningfully consider settlement," the judge said, but he also acknowledged that "neither party seems inclined to conclude the various litigations."
Scaglia filed multiple applications attempting to sell or lease the flat, many of which have been dismissed, ever since the court awarded Haart "exclusive use and occupancy" of the property last year. In his most recent futile effort, he claimed that his assertions regarding the house had "an impending urgency" and "that foreclosure may be possible." Scaglia asserted that he has been unable to consolidate the $33 million mortgage on the home for the past year as a result of Haart's lawsuits, public accusations of him, and the fact that she still resides there.
What did the judge rule?
He continued by saying that the flat was losing value and had to be sold in order to save EWG and Freedom, its corporate parent that is majority owned by Scaglia, which he claimed is "facing financial hardship." However, in his ruling, Judge Hoffman stated that such considerations are not "the standard in a matrimonial action" for approving the sale of a marital residence despite the resident spouse's objections while the divorce is pending. "That standard, as previously stated on numerous prior motions, is 'danger of imminent dissipation' or if necessary to preserve the marital res in danger of loss," the judge stated.
'There is simply no record'
In addition, the court's decision stated that Scaglia had attempted to evict his wife without providing evidence that the two of them could "no longer support the apartment and there is an imminent risk of loss to this asset." "Here, there is no Statement of Net Worth submitted by Husband on this motion, and there is no allegation but that the carrying costs are continuing to be timely paid," read the papers. "There is simply no record presented by movants that would allow [sale of the home] on these current papers without violating Domestic Relations Law and related cases."
'Haart can now sleep easy'
The divorce attorneys for Julia Haart, Nancy Chemtob, and Michael Beyda, applauded the verdict in a statement to DailyMail, saying: "Julia Haart has finally been vindicated by Judge Hoffman's very well thought out decision denying Mr. Scaglia's request to evict his wife from their $70 million apartment."They added, "Ms. Haart can now sleep easy in the marital apartment without her husband's spiteful desire to evict her while this high conflict divorce is still pending."
What is the value of the apartment?
The opulent Vestry building, where the 7,800 square-foot apartment in Lower Manhattan is located, is prominently featured in both seasons of the popular Haart's Netflix series. It is worth an estimated $70 million, and the monthly rental income is close to $170,000. Last year, Scaglia tried to put it up for sale and for rent, which prompted Haart to contest his right to do so in a lawsuit she just won. The home underwent a $5 million custom renovation after being bought for $55 million in December 2018. The apartment has a $33 million mortgage, according to Scaglia's documents, and he claims it is filled with priceless artwork, furniture, cutlery, and silverware that he values at around $3 million, Daily Mail reported.
