The Stiefels' city getaway.

Charles Stiefel's life has had its share of ups and downs. First he made a fortune when GlaxoSmithKline bought his family's company for $2.9 billion. But then the S.E.C. closed in after employees claimed that the family had bilked them out of $110 million by hiding crucial information—including plans for the upcoming sale—as it bought their stocks back at extremely low prices. This spring Glaxo settled the first of what will likely be many employee buyback lawsuits for $1.5 million.

Not ones to wallow over a pending fraud case, Mr. Stiefel and wife Danee have apparently spent the last few months looking for apartments to spend some of their possibly ill-gotten gains on. Now, they're on top of the world again, or at least on the top of 230 West 56th Street, where they bought a penthouse apartment, "the apex of the prestigious Park Imperial Condominium" as the Nestseekers  listing held by Ryan Serhant and Nick Jabbour boasts.

Is there any room for a person with so many pillows?

What's more, the $7 million that the couple paid for the three-bedroom, three-bath condo will hardly make a dent in the family fortune. We doubt that the Stiefels are even giving up their home in Pelham Manor, the address they list on the deed. Probably this is just a little pied-a-terre, albeit one with a high-end kitchen and amazing views from every window. And with Crestron home automation available in every room "moderating environment and ambiance," they'll have nearly scientific control over the place.

Even with all that cash floating around, though, the Stiefels were loathe to waste a cent. They bought the pad for $895,000 below the asking price. Still, seller Terry Johnson made out well. Having bought the place for $2.54 million back in 2003, he certainly saw his stock price go up.

kvelsey@observer.com

Porsche!

Forget painting the walls or baking cookies before an open house. Sales techniques like that are for amateurs. Law and Order: SVU star Christopher Meloni will throw in a 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybird for the buyer of his $12 million Midtown apartment, Curbed reports.

Hey! That's a way better door prize than a t-shirt or one of those tote bags that aren't even made out of cotton these days.

Mr. Melonia is apparently taking no chances after losing $60,000 on the sale of his last home. But, as all special offers are, this one is limited time only, so call now! You must buy this $12 million midtown condo before June 1!

The aerie, at 230 West 56th Street, is listed with Prudential Douglas Elliman broker Rick Kelly. Was this his idea, we wonder, or Mr. Meloni's? Is a Porsche the new luxury apartment freebie?

The apartment itself looks nice enough. As the listing boasts, "This stunning home in the sky features an impressively spacious floor plan, floor to ceiling windows, soaring 10' ceilings... gut renovated eat-in kitchen with open Central Park views, and an opulent master suite with 2 walk-in closets, 2 standard closets, his and her baths and a cozy sitting room/private den."

Unfortunately, there's no sky garage for the Porsche. And, as Curbed points out, considering that the Porsche Panamera goes for $96,150, it isn't really much of an incentive to buy a $12 million apartment.

kvelsey@observer.com

The condo, which occupies a full floor in The Park Imperial on West 56th Street, is called a "mansion in the sky" on its Douglas Elliman listing, and certainly has all the trappings of one. The 8,000-square-footer features six bedrooms, six bathrooms and panoramic views of Central Park, midtown and the Hudson through floor-to-ceiling windows. For $100,000 a month, the place is available for a six-month (or longer) lease.

SLIDESHOW: One of midtown's staggeringly pricey rentals >>