Parking Garage Owner Commits Suicide After He and Jay Leno are Sued

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."

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By Jen Chung in News on October 23, 2008 9:27 AM

Comments [rss]

BMMDan

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...

Supergome

Oops, the Titanic tidbit was in the story. Guess I shoulda read it first.

Supergome

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.

Newt

who knew Leno had heavies?

JacqueMehoff

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.