Man bites man over bldg. deal
Here’s evidence that pro wrestling is cleaner than the Manhattan real estate business.
Ex-United Realty Trust CEO Jacob Frydman is accused in Manhattan Supreme Court of biting a former business partner’s leg “like a rabid dog” amid an ongoing legal battle.
Biting is illegal in pro wrestling. But Frydman allegedly chomped the skin of United Realty Trust president Eli Verschleiser in a war that began over a botched attempt in 2013 to buy 866 UN Plaza, an office building in Midtown.
Their feud turned physical following a deposition that was cut short on Jan. 10, 2018 after Frydman refused to cooperate, says the lawsuit filed Thursday.
Frydman and Verschleiser ended up together in an elevator at 44 Wall St. — and the fight quickly turned too dirty even for the squared circle.
“While grabbing Verschleiser’s hand Frydman ferociously bit Verschleiser’s finger and like a rabid dog would not release it from his mouth,” the suit alleges.
“On the ground immediately Frydman grabbed onto Verschleiser’s leg and bit his calf. Like a pit bull Frydman had sunk his teeth deep into Verschleiser’s calf for a minimum of 3 minutes. Like a vicious dog Frydman would not unlock his teeth from Verschleiser’s foot.”
Police charged both men with thirddegree assault.
The Daily News was unable Thursday to determine the status of the criminal cases, which were handled by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. There were no records regarding the charges online, indicating they may have been dropped.
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance handed off the case to the Bronx DA because he had represented one of the men when he was in private practice, a Vance spokeswoman.
Verschleiser’s suit included photos of bite marks on his finger and leg, as well as pics of his rival in handcuffs.
Verschleiser is 6-foot-4 and weighs around 100 lbs more than the 5-foot-9 Frydman, according to court papers.
Frydman’s attorney Daniel Edelman declined to comment.
The fight was previouisly described in a lawsuit filed last year by Frydman, 61, against Verschleiser, 44. In that account, Frydman bit Verschleiser’s finger in self-defense while being punched in the head, abdomen and legs.
“Verschleiser scratched Frydman’s face and pulled out portions of Frydman’s hair,” Frydman’s suit said.
That lawsuit also contained bizarre allegations that Verschleiser had considered hiring criminals to stick Frydman with a syringe of LSD prior to a court appearance so he would appear “insane.” Verschleiser had also allegedly offered $50,000 for prostitutes in a plot to obtain compromising photos of Frydman.
Verschleiser denied the allegations.