The Manhattan DA’s Office dismissed the first-degree rape charge against real estate mogul Keith Hartigan who was accused of attacking a Citibank VP in his luxurious Standard Hotel room last February.
“There are no provable criminal charges,” said ADA Alexandra Murphy. “It’s unclear whether a crime was committed.”
The woman who claimed she was raped didn’t wish to pursue the matter, the ADA said.
The Denver-based realtor to the stars waived his right to appear in Manhattan Criminal Court today.
The woman, 31, had been drinking with Hartigan and his friend at the trendy 675 Bar on Hudson Street on February 1st of this year. The pal escorted the woman back to his and Hartigan's room on the 9th floor of the trendy Meatpacking District hotel where at some point the two fell asleep.
The woman told cops she was later awoken by a boozed-up Hartigan, 37, who ripped off her clothes and raped her before she pushed him off and fled.
“The videotape evidence and witness interview show consenting adults interacting in a positive way without any wrongdoing afoot,” said Hartigan’s defense attorney Edward Sapone, who wouldn’t say whether it was a ménage a trois gone terribly wrong.
“Sometimes people engage in conduct that they unfortunately regret,” he said of the possible motivation behind the false allegations.
The unwelcome media attention has hurt Hartigan’s business and reputation but he doesn't plan to sue the woman for making the false claim, his attorney said. "He just wants to get on with his life, he's not looking for retribution."
The strapping 6-foot-1 broker is CEO of View West Properties. The company’s Facebook page features photographs of Jack Nicholson’s house and a snapshot of Mariah Carey and her hubby, Nick Cannon, in ski gear. All three stars rented Aspen getaways through the company, a caption boasts.
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