One of New York’s most famous party players was in handcuffs on Wednesday, accused of committing a sickening and violent crime after making accusations about a former friend.
Law enforcement sources tell Page Six that Richie Akiva — one-time owner of some of Manhattan’s hottest clubs including Butter and 1Oak, and a close pal of Leonardo DiCaprio — and an accomplice are believed to have entered a Soho home on January 7, and found a 35-year-old man asleep in a bedroom.
We’re told Akiva and alleged henchman Justin Brown — who a source told us is a former security guard at yet another once-sizzling Akiva club, Up & Down — hit the man on the head with a metal pipe.
Police insiders say the alleged victim was left with a broken nose and injuries to his right shoulder and right leg.
We’re told Akiva and Brown are accused of threatening him and making him transfer money via an app.
On Wednesday, Akiva denied those allegations in an interview with Page Six.
The nightlife fixture had contacted two Page Six reporters on Tuesday, alleging that he had been wronged by a longtime friend, entertainment exec Michael Morriatti. (When we contacted Morriatti about Akiva’s allegation’s, he told us that Akiva was lying).
The former 1Oak owner — once part of a powerful nightlife team with Zero Bond owner Scott Sartiano –told us they’d been “friends for a while,” but he had grown suspicious of Morriatti.
When we contacted him about Akiva’s claims that he had wronged him, Morriatti told us, “Whatever he’s saying, it’s not real.” “He’s lying.”
Meanwhile, a rep for Akiva, who was released from police custody Wednesday evening, told us in a statement: “Richie fully welcomes and supports a thorough investigation into this matter and is confident that the full truth will prevail.”
This isn’t Akiva’s first arrest. He was picked up last year for driving with a suspended license.
1Oak, the definitive club of 2010s New York nightlife, closed in 2022, reportedly owing more than $1 million in rent on its Chelsea building. Akiva and Sartiano ended up in a court battle in 2018.
Akiva helped launch exclusive members-only club the Ned in June 2022 as its “brand and creative director,” bringing in celebs like DiCaprio, Rihanna, Emily Ratajkowski, G-Eazy and “SNL” comic Leslie Jones.
Page Six reported in 2023 that he had a falling out with another business partner, Darren Dzienciol. They now hold rival bashes during May’s Cannes Film Festival.
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