(NEW YORK, NY) — The U.S Department of Justice is said to the list the Arc House located in the East Hamptons as a part of a criminal case against fraudist Joseph Meli. Meli pleaded guilty in 2017 for defrauding investors, he was charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission and pleaded guilty to leading investors in believing their money would be used toward buying and reselling theater tickets, in fact, the funds went to paying off other investments.
Last year Meli was sentenced to six and a half years in prison following the ticket-reselling scheme, along with his sentence he was forced to forfeit more than $100 million, some of these assets include a 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo, $551,000 in a Citibank account, and the Arc House owned by his wife. The DOJ took control of the Arc House because the funds from the ticket-selling scheme were used to buy the home.
The Arc House was built in 2010, designed by architect Maziar Behrooz, lists as one of the more unusual homes found in the Hamptons. Although the home has not been priced yet, it is expected to be no less than $3 million. Inspired by an airplane hangar, the Arc House sits on 2.5 acres surrounded by a canopy of old growth tall pine trees. The home includes four bedrooms, three- baths, 16-foot high ceilings, and an outdoor pool. The open plan includes the living, dining, and kitchen areas that are touched with finished of limestone, applewood, and black walnut. According to top Broker Enzo Morabito of Douglas Elliman, the involvement of the U.S government, as well as Joseph Meli’s scandals, shouldn’t impact the sale.
