Richie Akiva arrested on burglary charges after alleged Soho beating

Pagesix reports that, according to law enforcement sources, nightlife figure Richie Akiva was arrested Wednesday on burglary charges after he and an accomplice are believed to have entered a Soho home on January 7 and assaulted a 35-year-old man.

Sources said Akiva and alleged accomplice Justin Brown — described by a source as a former security guard at Up & Down — allegedly struck the sleeping man on the head with a metal pipe, leaving him with a broken nose and injuries to his right shoulder and right leg; they are also accused of threatening him and forcing a money transfer via an app. Akiva denied the allegations in an interview, and a representative said, "Richie fully welcomes and supports a thorough investigation into this matter and is confident that the full truth will prevail."

Akiva was released from police custody Wednesday evening. The piece notes he was previously arrested last year for driving with a suspended license and outlines his past roles as owner of clubs including Butter and 1Oak, his involvement with the Ned in June 2022, a 2018 court battle with Scott Sartiano, and a 2023 falling out with business partner Darren Dzienciol. Akiva had told reporters a longtime friend, entertainment executive Michael Morriatti, had wronged him; when contacted, Morriatti said, "Whatever he's saying, it's not real. He's lying."

Key Topics

Culture, Richie Akiva, Justin Brown, Soho, Burglary, Up & Down