Judge Dismisses 'Men Behaving Badly' Defence in Trafficking Case
A federal judge in the United States has firmly rejected defence arguments that a two-decade-long pattern of alleged sex trafficking by two luxury real estate brokers and their brother was merely 'just men behaving badly'.
Judge Valerie E. Caproni left the indictment largely intact, allowing the serious case involving dozens of women to proceed. The ruling was detailed in an opinion from October 17th, which was unsealed on Wednesday, 12th November 2025.
Charges Allege Co-ordinated Abuse Over Two Decades
The judge wrote that the indictment charges Oren, Tal, and Alon Alexander with conspiring to entice women and girls to travel across the US and sometimes internationally. The allegations state that the victims were taken to luxury hotels where they were drugged, physically restrained, and then raped or sexually assaulted.
Judge Caproni expressed clear scepticism towards the defence's attempts to have the charges dismissed. She stated that the alleged crimes were not spontaneous events but part of a long-running conspiracy.
The three brothers, who sold high-end properties in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, are accused of using their wealth and influence to carry out these attacks from 2002 to 2021. They remain in custody without bail after pleading not guilty in Manhattan federal court.
Defence Claims and Judicial Rebuttal
While the judge dismissed one count of attempted sex trafficking due to the expiry of the statute of limitations, she strongly rebutted other defence assertions. The defence had argued that the allegations were more akin to 'date rape' cases typically handled in state courts.
'That badly misrepresents the nature of the charges,' Judge Caproni wrote, clarifying that the crimes described were not incidental sexual assaults that occurred during vacations or parties.
Defence attorney Marc Agnifilo has indicated that the trial will involve evidence of group sex and promiscuity, claiming the case is fundamentally about 'sex and sexuality'. Defence lawyers also suggested they have evidence to undermine the accusers' narratives, alleging that witnesses may lie for monetary gain or to conceal consensual encounters.
However, Judge Caproni questioned the relevance of such information, noting that continued contact between a victim and an abuser does not disprove the charges. She highlighted one accuser's messages which expressed distress and confusion over being harmed.
A trial was initially scheduled for early January, but the judge has indicated a potential postponement until May.
