Shakedown attempt? Fontainebleau sues prominent rabbi who accused hotel of antisemitism

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The Fontainebleau Hotel is taking legal action against a prominent rabbi.

It stems from an incident recorded by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in which he was subjected to a verbal tirade in the lobby of the hotel. He announced plans to sue.

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Now the hotel is accusing him of trying to shake them down.

ā€œThat’s exactly what Jews have been accused of, it’s almost like the lawsuit is from the Protocols of Elders of Zion,ā€ said Boteach.

He is known as America’s most famous rabbi.

Following the incident in the lobby, Boteach launched a social media campaign.

In its lawsuit, The Fontainebleau says that Boteach tried to shake down the hotel.

The suit says, ā€œBoteach insisted that he would only settle if the Fontainebleau paid $1 million to his ā€˜charitable’ organization without any transparent explanation as to the use of those funds.ā€

Boteach had a similar incident at the hotel in 2003.

The hotel claims, ā€œBoteach omits that he also demanded personal lifetime access to the swimming pool and gym at the Hotel (the same place he says is unsafe). Ultimately, Defendant Boteach accepted a free dinner at the Hotel and moved on.ā€

After initially asking for millions, Boteach said he is now simply seeking an apology.

ā€œI will say on the record right now that I am prepared to settle for nothing, not a penny, if they apologize for what happened and promise to retrain the security,ā€ Boteach said.


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