Famous magician David Copperfield, who has been a mainstay in Las Vegas for years, has been accused by the board of his Manhattan penthouse residence of trashing the place and letting it fall into disrepair. His reputation has also suffered a big hit: he has been recently linked to Jeffrey Epstein and was accused of sexual misconduct, which Copperfield vehemently denies.

Longtime magician David Copperfield, known for his spellbinding illusions and Las Vegas performances, now finds himself embroiled in a legal drama of a different sort. Copperfield, who has captivated audiences for decades with his breathtaking performances, is accused in a New York lawsuit of neglecting his penthouse condominium in Manhattan, leading to its severe deterioration. The lawsuit, filed by the Galleria Condominium's board, alleges that Copperfield's once pristine residence, perched on top of the 55-story structure, has been abandoned and allowed to decay, posing significant risks to the building's structural integrity and the safety of its residents.

Abandonment and disrepair

According to the lawsuit, Copperfield has owned the penthouse on 117 E. 57th St. since 1997, when he purchased it for $7.4 million. The luxurious multilevel unit, which boasts breathtaking views of the East Side of Manhattan and Central Park, was once a showcase of luxury, meticulously renovated by Copperfield to include unique features that fit his image as an illusionist. Among the oddities reportedly installed are a staircase that transforms into a slide, trapdoors, and an 'exploding table.'

However, the lawsuit claims that Copperfield abandoned the residence in 2018, allowing it to fall into a state of disrepair. The Galleria Condominium board alleges that this neglect has not only led to significant damage within the penthouse itself but has also threatened the well-being of the entire building. Photographs submitted as evidence reportedly show a penthouse in a deplorable condition, with exposed steel beams, peeling paint, and ductwork issues caused by water damage, along with stained carpets and mold and mildew growth.

A penthouse with worsening issues

The complaint points to two significant incidents that have worsened the situation. In 2015, the rooftop swimming pool was said to have burst because of faulty construction, causing extensive water damage that cascaded 30 stories beneath the penthouse. More recently, in December of the previous year, a plumbing valve in Copperfield's penthouse reportedly led to another destructive downpour affecting multiple floors.

Architects involved in the case have warned that the water damage, which is unrepaired until now, is so severe that it compromises the concrete structure of the building, has facilitated the growth of mold and mildew, and poses an active danger to other apartments. The condo board is now seeking $2.5 million from Copperfield to cover the costs of repairing the building outside of his unit and to compensate affected homeowners.

Copperfield's legal troubles deepen

This lawsuit is not the only legal issue currently facing Copperfield. The magician, who has been a mainstay in Las Vegas since 1996 with a long-running residency at the MGM Grand, has recently seen his reputation come under scrutiny due to other allegations. In May, it was reported by Casino.org that Copperfield had been accused of sexual misconduct by a group of women, claims which he has vigorously denied. The allegations, which involve 16 women, some of whom were underage at the time, have cast a shadow over Copperfield's notable career. His legal team has maintained that these accusations are "false and entirely without foundation," allowing him to continue his performances in Las Vegas, where he stages 15 shows a week.

Adding to the controversy is Copperfield’s alleged association with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who was convicted of sexually abusing underage girls. Epstein, who committed suicide in prison while waiting to be tried for sex trafficking, had ties to numerous high-profile individuals, including Copperfield. Though the magician has denied any wrongdoing, the connection has further tarnished his public image.

The penthouse's mysterious decline

The decline of Copperfield's Manhattan penthouse remains a mystery, especially given his continued ownership and apparent attempts to sell the property. The condo board's lawsuit speculates on the magicians motivation, questioning why Copperfield would allow such a valuable asset to deteriorate to this extent. His attorneys, in response, have dismissed the photographs presented in the lawsuit as part of "a simple insurance claim" and argue that they do not reflect the current state of the apartment.

The case, which is being heard in Manhattan's Supreme Court, emphasizes the complexities of high-profile property ownership and the legal obligations that come with it. For Copperfield, who Forbes estimates has a net worth of approximately $1 billion, the lawsuit represents not only a financial challenge but also a significant risk to his once-flawless reputation.