For more than a decade, Oren and Tal Alexander built a luxury real estate empire, selling ultra-high-end properties across the country. But prosecutors allege that behind the scenes, the brothers and their sibling, Alon Alexander, used their influence to sexually abuse dozens of women.
As their federal sex trafficking trial begins in New York, prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing to present sharply conflicting narratives about the lives, relationships and alleged crimes of the three men.
At least eight accusers are expected to testify, including a woman who was sixteen at the time of the alleged assault.
The brothers face sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison if convicted. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Here is what we know about the brothers and the sex trafficking case.
What are they accused of?
The brothers are accused in a 12-count superseding indictment of conspiring over more than a decade to drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of women, sometimes involving multiple perpetrators. Prosecutors allege the assaults were at times planned in advance, with women flown to vacation destinations under the guise of exclusive travel opportunities.
Defense lawyers acknowledge that their clients had sexual encounters with some of the women involved but maintain the interactions were consensual.
The brothers, who have been the subject of numerous civil lawsuits, have been held without bail since their arrests in December 2024 in Miami, where they lived. They have denied all allegations of misconduct. Many of the lawsuits are still pending.
Defense attorneys have tried to have the charges dismissed, arguing that prosecutors have repeatedly altered the indictment and added new counts without giving the defense sufficient time to investigate.
The most recent superseding indictment added a new charge of sexual abuse by physical incapacitation against Oren Alexander and his twin brother, Alon. According to prosecutors, the alleged assault of a woman who was “physically incapable of declining participation” occurred around January 2012 aboard a Bahamian-flagged cruise ship that departed from and returned to the United States.
During pretrial hearings, defense attorney Teny Geragos also accused prosecutors of failing to turn over evidence, including videos and photographs from witnesses and alleged co-conspirators, in a timely manner.
Prosecutors said multiple FBI agents are assigned to the case and that they are producing evidence as quickly as possible. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni expressed frustration with both sides at times, noting that the Justice Department should be able to prioritize resources for the case.
At one point, Caproni became exasperated during a dispute over a jury questionnaire and whether people would understand the definition of sexual assault, remarking, “I think most people feel that if a guy puts his hand on a girl where she doesn’t want it, that’s sexual assault.”
Much of the pretrial litigation has also focused on whether certain accusers may testify under pseudonyms to protect their identities.
Who are the Alexander brothers?
Oren and Alon Alexander are 38-year-old twins, and Tal is their 39-year-old brother. Tal and Oren Alexander co-founded the real estate company Official, specializing in luxury properties in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
Alon Alexander went to law school and worked as an executive at the family’s private security company.
Their parents, Shlomi and Orly Alexander, have defended them, previously stating that they believe their sons are “innocent and hope that they are judged solely on the evidence presented in court, free from speculation or public narrative.”
“Our family has been living with this ordeal since allegations first appeared in civil lawsuits and were widely publicized long before any criminal charges were filed, and the toll has been deeply painful,” they said.
Legal analysts have said the case presents significant challenges for prosecutors. NBC News legal analyst Danny Cevallos noted that allegations of sex trafficking carry a higher burden of proof than allegations of sexual assault.
“As sexual assault cases, these might be difficult for the prosecution,” Cevallos said. “As sex trafficking cases, however, they are even more difficult. This case raises a thorny legal question: Is this the kind of conduct that we think of when we think of sex trafficking?”
He added that jurors might dismiss accusers based on their proximity to wealth and glamour. “Jurors should not look with skepticism at victims just because they were models living in a world of fine Champagne and yachts and international travel,” Cevallos said. “But the prosecution has to be concerned that they might.”
