Benny Shabtai, a 76-year-old Israeli American millionaire was facing charges of sexual harassment leveled by none other than his stepdaughter.
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Samantha Cooper, who managed the Miami branch of Shabtai's Tel Aviv-based restaurant, "Serafina," along with another employee, claimed inappropriate demands and unwelcome physical contact. They allege that Shabtai insisted they adhere to an overly suggestive dress code. The employee als said she was made to feel uncomfortable by unsolicited touching from Shabtai.
The lawsuit gains added complexity with suggestions of a connection between Shabtai and the infamous Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire convicted of sex crimes who died in a New York jail while on trial. According to court filings, the two men may have shared involvement in covert activities with Israel.
Court documents reveal Shabtai, the pair, described as "good friends," reportedly traveled together to Israel, engaging in clandestine discussions with the Israeli military officials, purportedly to fund undisclosed operations.
The timing of one such trip in 2008 raised eyebrows. Following Epstein's guilty plea and conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, Shabtai and Epstein were reported to have flown to Israel. Shabtai has openly acknowledged his friendship with Epstein, admitting to visiting the convicted pedophile at his residence.
Despite these connections, Shabtai maintains ignorance of Epstein's illicit activities. "I didn't know about it. I never saw any girl in that house," he told the New York Post. "I learned about it when he was convicted."
Shabtai's marriage of eight years to is on the brink of dissolution, and a storm of legal battles looms for the Tel Aviv native.
Samantha, was unceremoniously discharged from her position by Shabtai. The lawsuit she has filed packs a potent punch, alleging he had intimated that he could make her disappear, leveraging his alleged ties with Israeli operatives.
However, Shabtai presents a different narrative. In an interview with The Post, he defended his decision to terminate Samantha's employment, attributing it to her subpar performance as manager. From his perspective, the lawsuit is nothing more than a bitter reprisal in the aftermath of his impending divorce.
Despite the swirl of personal and legal turmoil, Shabtai remains connected to his roots in philanthropy. Just last week, he held a fundraising event in Miami for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), despite no longer holding any official capacity within the organization.