On August 28, 2025, Glenn Agre secured a significant victory on behalf of its clients, the Ascend plaintiffs, in a sprawling RICO and conspiracy lawsuit pending in New Jersey. The Ascend plaintiffs—family-owned real estate investment and management companies—are seeking redress for losses stemming from an alleged racketeering, commercial bribery, and fraud scheme involving 30 defendants.
The Orbach defendants, including New York real estate developer Meyer Orbach and affiliated investment entities, sought summary judgment on all claims, including civil RICO under New Jersey’s RICO statute, civil conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and breach of LLC operating agreements. Following extensive briefing and argument, the court denied the motion in full, finding ample evidence supporting all of Ascend’s causes of action—including circumstantial evidence of conspiracy and evidence of overt criminal acts such as bribery, wire fraud, and falsified business records.
The court also granted Ascend’s motion to amend its complaint to add nine additional Orbach entity defendants, further strengthening Ascend’s case as it proceeds toward trial.
The Glenn Agre team includes Skye Gao, Jewel Tewiah, Nate Ades, Colleen Piasentin, and Cariana Salvatierra.
