Russian fertilizer kingpin/oligarch/billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, he of the “buying my baby girl the most expensive apartment in, like, forever” fame, was slapped with a lawsuit today claiming that he purchased the $88 million apartment at 15 Central Park West through an LLC that he used to hide assets from his estranged wife, The Observer has learned.
Sugar Daddy Under Siege
In the lawsuit, Elena Rybolovleva and her attorneys allege that Mr. Rybolovlev “fraudulently transferred property acquired during his marriage… in violation of a Swiss Court Order to his own personal use.”
That “personal use,” of course, was to buy the Sandy Weill‘s former penthouse last December in what became the most expensive apartment transaction in New York City’s history. The purchase was conducted through layers of LLCs intended to conceal Mr. Rybolovlev’s identity.
>>Inside an $88 million apartment>>
The former couple is currently dealing with their shattered marriage in divorce court proceedings in Switzerland.
Ms. Rybolovleva is asking to be included in a “constructive trust” over the 15 Central Park West property, among other awards.
More anon.
drosen@observer.com