D.A. Bragg announces sentencing of assistant in brutal 2020 Lower East Side murder of tech CEO

Photos from July 2020 by Stacie Joy 

A personal assistant who was convicted of murdering his former boss in his East Houston Street home after embezzling $400,000 from him was sentenced on Tuesday to 40 years to life in prison.

Manhattan D.A. Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced the sentencing of Tyrese Haspil in the brutal July 2020 slaying of tech CEO Fahim Saleh in his condo on the SW corner of Houston and Suffolk. Haspil, 25, was also ordered to pay restitution for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Saleh's companies. 

Haspil was convicted on all charges, including Murder in the First Degree and two counts of Grand Larceny, in a New York State Supreme Court trial this past June. 

Beginning in May 2018, Haspil worked as Saleh's entrepreneurial assistant, handling financial tasks. Over the following months, he executed a series of elaborate embezzlement schemes. By creating fake accounts and entities, Haspil stole increasing amounts of money, eventually totaling nearly $400,000. 

Despite catching wind of one fraudulent scheme in early 2020, Saleh, showing mercy, offered Haspil a repayment plan instead of pursuing legal action. Haspil continued stealing and ultimately devised a plan to murder his boss to avoid facing criminal charges. (Press reports claimed that Haspil was worried his girlfriend would find out about the stolen money and leave him.) 

On July 13, 2020, Haspil ambushed Saleh in his apartment after a planned attack involving a Taser and a knife. After killing him, Haspil attempted to cover up the crime by dismembering the body and disposing of evidence. His actions were discovered when Saleh's cousin, concerned after not hearing from him for a day, entered his apartment and made the grisly discovery. 

Haspil was arrested four days later at an Airbnb, where he was celebrating his girlfriend's birthday. According to the DA's office, his PayPal embezzlement continued right up until his capture.

"While today’s sentence won't bring Mr. Saleh back, I hope it provides his family a sense of closure as they continue to mourn his painful loss," Bragg said in a statement.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Body of dismembered, decapitated man found inside residence on Houston and Suffolk

Reports: Police arrest former personal assistant in murder of tech CEO

[Photo by Stacie Joy]

Police have a suspect in custody for the murder and dismemberment of tech CEO Fahim Saleh in his apartment on Houston and Suffolk Monday.

The New York Times has more on the suspect, identified as Saleh's former personal assistant.

Tyrese Devon Haspil, 21, was expected to be charged in a criminal complaint with second degree murder and other crimes.

Detectives believe that the motive for the killing stemmed from Mr. Saleh having discovered that the assistant had stolen tens of thousands of dollars from him, despite the fact that Mr. Saleh had not reported the man and had set up what amounted to a repayment plan for him to return the money, one of the officials said.

Saleh was found decapitated and dismembered on Tuesday. Police offices yesterday said that Saleh was stabbed to death. According to the NYPD and published reported, Saleh used a key fob to select his seventh-floor residence in the elevator Monday afternoon. Surveillance footage shows a man wearing black and carrying a bag following him on and acting like he selected a different floor.

When they arrived on the seventh floor, the man followed Saleh, possibly knocking him out with a taser.

Police believe the killer was interrupted at the scene by Saleh's sister, who had come to the building to check on her brother.

Updated 7/18:

Gothamist has a summary of the arrest and charges here. Haspil was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He was held without bail after his arraignment early today.

New East Houston condos 'effortlessly embody the sophistication of Lower East Side living'

Some seven months after the "condos coming soon" banner was unveiled at 265 E. Houston St., developer Central Construction Management has put a few of the condoplex units on the market. (H/T Curbed and BuzzBuzzHome!)



There are three two-bedroom, two-bathroom units available, ranging from $2.45 million to $2.55 million. (There are seven units total in this 10-floor building.)

Here's the pitch, via Streeteasy:

Ideally located in Lower East Side Manhattan, this spectacular collection of apartments are finished to the highest standard with exquisite Italian Carrara marble and white oak flooring throughout. Private keyed elevators lead directly into each residence, where refined design, spacious floor plans, and a modern neutral color palette perfectly meld minimalist style with contemporary luxury.

With oversized windows, sleek living areas, private outdoor spaces, and expansive common roof top terraces boasting dramatic views of the city, these stylish homes effortlessly embody the sophistication of Lower East Side living.

A tranquil escape from the city, the elegant master bathrooms offer a peaceful space to luxuriate. Smooth Carrara marble walls and floors are complemented by pure white Robern cabinetry, bespoke recessed medicine cabinets, and jet black rainshowers with attached shower heads. The ergonomic double-sinks and marble-enclosed Kohler tubs are fitted with black faucets crafted by local manufacturers Watermark Designs. Secondary baths are finished with glossy white Nemo tile and Restoration Hardware cabinetry.

The corner was home to the Iglesia Pentecostal Arca de Salvacion (below). In 2008, developer 265 East Houston LLC purchased the plot for $500,000, public records show.


[Via]

Work at 265 E. Houston St. (aka 179 Suffolk St.) dates to early 2010. As you may recall, construction in the pit conveniently destabilized the building next door at No. 255, which caused Action for Progress to vacate.

Speaking of next door... Not much construction action here just yet...



Developer Samy Mahfar, the property's owner, has approved plans for a 10-story residential complex that will look like...



But for now...

(More) Condos coming soon on East Houston

The banner is up at the new 10-story building on East Houston at Suffolk... and sounding rather ominous: "Condos coming soon."



There is a teaser site where potential condo owners can sign up to receive more info. There aren't any further details, other than a tagline of sorts: "Floor-through condominiums in the heart of the Lower East Side."

In 2008, developer 265 East Houston LLC purchased the plot on Houston and Suffolk from Iglesia Pentecostal Arca de Salvacion (below) for $500,000, public records show.


[Via]

Work here on at 265 E. Houston St. (aka 179 Suffolk St.) dates to early 2010. As you may recall, construction in the pit destabilized the building next door at No. 255, which caused Action for Progress to vacate.

And as you can see, No. 255 is no more. Workers recently wrapped up that demolition...





Developer Samy Mahfar, the property's owner, has approved plans for a 10-story residential complex here.

And so the development gold rush continues along the East Houston corridor...