Last week, descendants of Macy's founder Isidor Straus sued Jay Leno and a NYC parking garage owner, claiming they had swindled the late John Straus out of his antique cars. Now, the Post reports that Dennis Ricca, co-owner of the Windsor Garage on East 76th Street, shot himself in the head last week--and a mourner blamed the lawsuit. The Straus family insisted that Ricca's garage took advantage of the ailing Straus, but a lawyer for Leno, Ricca and others blamed Straus for non-payment his account and said auctioning the valuable cars off was their right. Still, the Strauses claim it was a "sham auction" since Leno was able to buy a 1931 Dusenberg worth $1.2 million for $180,000 and Ricca bought a Rolls Royce Phantom worth $500,000 for $0. Ricca and Leno's lawyer said, "We hope the press will respect his family and let them grieve in peace."




another reason not to have a car in the City.
Memo to rich antique car buffs: own the building you store your prized collection in.
true because these storage joints sue quick to get your property to auction. looks like they get first dibs too, a rolls royce for nada, zip, bupkus, zero cents.
who knew Leno had heavies?
Isidor Straus was not a founder of Macy's. It was founded by R. H. Macy in 1858, and purchased by Isidor and his brother Nathan in 1893. Incidentally, the Macy's star insignia comes from a tattoo Macy acquired during his teenage days as a Nantucket whaler. In another bit of nautical trivia, Isidore Straus died in the sinking of the Titanic.
Oops, the Titanic tidbit was in the story. Guess I shoulda read it first.
wait. a rolls royce for $0? like $0 down, or $0 as in $0? a rolls fuckin' royce? did they announce there was going to be an auction of exotic, antique cars or did only 2 people get the invite?
seriously, how does someone win an auction for $0? it disgusts me knowing my breakfast cost more than a rolls...