How to Be a Celebrity Scammer

Scene-Setter (2019 Holiday Diamond Showcase)
Setting: Hotel Bel-Air, with celebrities and reality stars.
Highlight: A staged marriage proposal during the event, Kim Kardashian joking about the ring.
Purpose: Boosting visibility for Jadelle, Rechnitz’s luxury jewelry firm.
Celebrity involvement: Kris Jenner hosted, Kardashian wore Jadelle jewelry to the Emmys, Vogue Japan cover feature.
The Image of Success
Rechnitz flaunted wealth (Bugatti, Beverly Hills estate, high-end office).
Jadelle pitched itself as *the* jeweler for Hollywood’s elite.
Charity tie-in: Proceeds promised to Toys for Tots.
Reality Check – Rechnitz’s Past
2016: Pled guilty in NYC for conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (bribery of officials).
Promised a new start in LA through Jadelle and celebrity culture.
Soon after the showcase: lawsuits, fraud, theft allegations, accusations of leveraging celebrity connections to mask shady dealings.
Background – Rise in New York
Born into a wealthy Orthodox Jewish family in LA.
Education: Yeshiva schools, classmates with Ben Shapiro.
Father: real estate developer, political connections.
Early career: Africa Israel Investments (Lev Leviev’s company).
First taste of influence: meeting Jeremy Reichberg, forging NYPD ties.
Networking Through Power & Luxury
Founded JSR Capital (2011) → began lavish lifestyle and high spending.
Built ties with NYPD officials through bribes, luxury trips (Vegas, Dominican Republic), gifts, escorts, watches, home renovations.
Befriended high-ranking NYPD officials (Philip Banks III, Michael Harrington).
Bought loyalty with expensive meals, jewelry, and cash.
The Union Kickback Scheme
Connection with Norman Seabrook (head of COBA union).
Deal with Murray Huberfeld of Platinum Partners hedge fund.
Seabrook invested \$20M of union funds in exchange for kickbacks.
Rechnitz personally delivered \$60,000 cash in a Ferragamo bag to Seabrook.
Law enforcement was watching → led to investigations and eventual downfall of the sche