whose yacht is attessa

Shoe shiner turned billionaire Dennis Washington’s $200 million superyacht Attessa IV is a 300 feet long art deco-styled marvel with Gucci chairs, a one-of-a-kind chandelier, a spectacular spa, and a helipad.

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The “Attessa IV” arrives in Los Cabos, the luxury yacht worth 250 million dollars

In the port of Los Cabos, the “Attessa IV” stands out, a luxurious yacht valued at 250 million dollars, with its own spa and helipad

Los Cabos.- Last weekend the ”  Attessa IV  ” arrived at the port of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, a large  luxury yacht  valued at  250 million dollars , considered one of the most expensive vessels of its kind in all the world.

The ostentatious yacht, which belongs to billionaire  Dennis Washington , stands out for its large size that even has a helicopter, which undoubtedly represents a spectacle on the docks of  Los Cabos .

The luxury of the Attessa IV

The ”  Attessa IV  ” has 2,600 square meters of usable space, and is capable of accommodating 36 guests and 21 crew members in its luxurious enclosures. 

As if that were not enough, this yacht has its own spa, a pool on the upper deck, a karaoke room, a helipad, and even an elegant gallery of works of art and glassware inside. 

The ship, which is one of the most expensive and luxurious in the world at a value of  250 million dollars , was created in 1999, and then rebuilt in 2010 by businessman Dennis Washington, with the design process in charge of his wife, Phyllis Washington. 

Since then, the “Attessa IV” has traveled through the most luxurious and exclusive ports in the world, its most recent destination being Cabo San Lucas, where it remains without it being known at the moment who is enjoying its ostentation.

About its owner, the American  Dennis Washington , it should be noted that he owns the companies  Washington Group International  and  Seaspan Marine Corporation , and has an estimated fortune of 6 billion dollars, which makes him 83 of the 100 richest men of the world, according to  Forbes  magazine. 

Undoubtedly, the arrival of the expensive yacht to the port of Baja California Sur shows the tourist reactivation that is already taking place in  Los Cabos , an important tourist destination that is visited every year by distinguished people from all over the world, a situation that was seriously affected in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: debate.com.mx

The Cabo Post

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Superyacht “Attessa IV” For Sale

• By Yachting Staff
• January 1, 2024

Merle Wood & Associates has listed the 332-foot Attessa IV for sale at an asking price of more than $164 million. It’s a yacht with a storied history as one of the most significant rebuilds ever undertaken in the global yachting community.

Until 2007, this same yacht was known as the 298-foot Evergreen , built by a commercial shipyard in Japan. American billionaire Dennis Washington—whom Forbes described as having had an early love of machinery, and who turned a $30,000 loan into companies focused on shipbuilding, railroads, demolition, mining and more—took notice when the owner wanted to sell.

But the idea wasn’t to use the yacht in anything remotely resembling its original form. Washington wanted a total rebuild from the tender garage to the foredeck, gutting everything from the main deck up, and totally reconfiguring the vessel for use as a private yacht more in keeping with what’s expected in regions such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

The rebuild, undertaken in Vancouver, Canada, was completed in 2010. Accommodations on Attessa IV are now for as many as 18 guests in nine staterooms. The master includes his and hers dressing rooms, a private office, a private salon, private outdoor dining and a private deck for arriving and departing by helicopter. That helipad is in addition to a second, touch-and-go helipad that is located on the yacht’s bow.

Onboard amenities include a spa with a beauty salon, massage, a steam room and a gym. The beach club abaft the gym has a hot tub and seating area, while up top on the sundeck, there’s a pool with a shallow section for children. The main deck includes a cinema, and there’s an elevator for guests to access the lower deck through the sky lounge.

The yacht also has quarters for 28 crew. And, just in case extra security is a concern, Attessa IV is built to be bulletproof. The yacht has a Kevlar-lined steel hull and superstructure, along with windows built of bulletproof glass.

Attessa IV is built to be a world cruiser, with a reported range of more than 7,000 nautical miles. Top speed is listed as 25 knots, and draft is a hair over 15 feet. The diesel power plants are by Wartsila.

Where is Attessa IV located for showings? The yacht is currently in the area of Cabo, Mexico.

Take the next step: contact sales broker Merle Wood at merlewood.com

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Attessa (ex Aviva, Lady Aviva) was custom built in 1998 by Feadship. After a fire left the yacht with significant damage, Attessa underwent a major refit project in 2005 to be reborn as a completely different vessel. Highly acclaimed for the outstanding work behind her transformation, Attessa is a 68.58 metre superyacht with distinctive style set upon a deep blue steel hull and white, striking aluminium superstructure.

Her beam of 11 metres provides ample space within, while her Glade Johnson Interior provides a rich, sophisticated surrounding with space for 10 guests. Capable of reaching a top speed of 16 knots, with a range of 5500 nautical miles, Attessa and her dedicated crew of 15 is built to create both a smooth cruising experience, and a luxurious one. 

Her helicopter landing pad ensures a stylish entrance, while her superyacht toys provide high-octane entertainment and the striking profile has the ability to turn heads wherever she may be in the world.  With pool deck, spa, open double-height atrium hallway, lateral wings that extend over the water to provide more space inside as well as a rich history following a three year refit project, this is a superyacht which represents the hard work and dedication of a passionate owner.

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The “Attessa IV” arrives in Los Cabos, the luxury yacht worth 250 million dollars

In the port of Los Cabos, the “Attessa IV” stands out, a luxurious yacht valued at 250 million dollars, with its own spa and helipad

Los Cabos.- Last weekend the ”  Attessa IV  ” arrived at the port of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, a large  luxury yacht  valued at  250 million dollars , considered one of the most expensive vessels of its kind in all the world.

The ostentatious yacht, which belongs to billionaire  Dennis Washington , stands out for its large size that even has a helicopter, which undoubtedly represents a spectacle on the docks of  Los Cabos .

The luxury of the Attessa IV

The ”  Attessa IV  ” has 2,600 square meters of usable space, and is capable of accommodating 36 guests and 21 crew members in its luxurious enclosures. 

As if that were not enough, this yacht has its own spa, a pool on the upper deck, a karaoke room, a helipad, and even an elegant gallery of works of art and glassware inside. 

The ship, which is one of the most expensive and luxurious in the world at a value of  250 million dollars , was created in 1999, and then rebuilt in 2010 by businessman Dennis Washington, with the design process in charge of his wife, Phyllis Washington. 

Since then, the “Attessa IV” has traveled through the most luxurious and exclusive ports in the world, its most recent destination being Cabo San Lucas, where it remains without it being known at the moment who is enjoying its ostentation.

About its owner, the American  Dennis Washington , it should be noted that he owns the companies  Washington Group International  and  Seaspan Marine Corporation , and has an estimated fortune of 6 billion dollars, which makes him 83 of the 100 richest men of the world, according to  Forbes  magazine. 

Undoubtedly, the arrival of the expensive yacht to the port of Baja California Sur shows the tourist reactivation that is already taking place in  Los Cabos , an important tourist destination that is visited every year by distinguished people from all over the world, a situation that was seriously affected in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: debate.com.mx

The Cabo Post

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By Tribune Travel

February 09, 2024

Two super luxury yachts, Attessa IV and Cloudbreak, have been anchored in Puerto Vallarta since the beginning of the year. Valued at $250 million and $150 million, respectively, these yachts have been a regular sight in the marina for several years. The owner of Attessa IV is the U.S. entrepreneur Dennis Washington, ranked 83rd among the world’s richest by Forbes with a fortune of $6 billion. The yacht offers amenities like a gym, spa, massage room, luxurious cabins for 28 guests, and a helipad.

Attessa IV arrived in Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago, and while its departure date is uncertain, it typically sets sail at the end of January or early February, as observed in previous years. This award-winning yacht, honored as the best luxury vessel at the 2011 World Superyacht Awards, stands out for its design and the onboard helicopter, allowing passengers to reach remote beaches or land locations.

Originally named Evergreen, the yacht was built in 1999 for Taiwanese shipping magnate Chang Yung-fa and later purchased by current owner Dennis Washington in 2007. The Cloudbreak, another superyacht in Puerto Vallarta, is a 72.5-meter vessel built in 2016, known for its sophisticated design by luxury yacht architect Espen Øino and interiors by Parisian designer Christian Liaigre. It features high-tech amenities, a helideck, a large fireplace, and claims to have the world’s biggest toy chest.

Cloudbreak is considered a high-volume yacht, resembling a floating high-tech chalet with extensive fitness and spa areas, modern lighting, and sound systems. With 7 cabins that accommodate 12 guests and a crew of 22, the yacht’s name is inspired by the famous Cloudbreak wave in Fiji, capturing the adventurous spirit of its owners, guests, and clients.

Position & Voyage Data

Map position & weather, recent port calls, vessel particulars.

ATTESSA IV current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of ATTESSA IV data.

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'Super yacht' Attessa IV involved in fatal collision at sea

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This story has been amended since first posting.

A luxury superyacht rebuilt several years ago in North Vancouver for the billionaire owner of Washington Marine Group has been involved in a fatal collision at sea near to San Diego.

The collision happened off the west coast on the evening of Oct. 26, about 14 kilometres from San Diego near the United States-Mexico border.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a call from the Attessa IV about 7:45 p.m. advising the 332-foot yacht had collided with a 65-foot sports fishing charter boat, Prowler, and that “Prowler sustained some pretty significant damage to its rear starboard quarter,” said Joel Guzman, public affairs spokesman for the San Diego Coast Guard station.

The Coast Guard launched a Jayhawk helicopter, 45-foot medium response boat and the Coast Guard cutter Sea Otter to the crash site and arrived on scene about 8:45 p.m. where 17 people from the sports fishing charter boat were taken on to the coast guard vessel. Three people were injured, including one man who had critical head injuries, said Guzman.

He was airlifted by helicopter to shore and taken to hospital.

The San Diego medical examiner’s office confirmed 66-year-old Richard Neff of San Clemente later died of those injuries.

Guzman said an investigation is now underway to determine why the ships collided, which includes speaking to everyone on board both vessels at the time of the crash. The investigation could take several months, said Guzman.

There is no word on who was among the 28 people on board the yacht at the time of the collision.

Records of ships’ movements show the Attessa IV in North Vancouver July 8. It later travelled down the west coast arriving in San Diego Oct. 15.

The yacht left San Diego following the crash and is now in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Attessa IV, which is registered in the Cayman Islands, is one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world. It was bought in 2007 by Dennis Washington, a U.S. billionaire whose network of companies includes Washington Marine Group and Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver, where Kyle Washington, Dennis Washington’s son, is executive chairman.

The mega yacht was extensively rebuilt in a three-year project by Washington Yachting Group in North Vancouver, in the same shed where the three ill-fated Pacificat fast ferries were put together by shipyard workers in the 1990s.

The luxury yacht, which has been featured in a number of yachting and lifestyle magazine articles, features its own on-board helicopter and landing pad, spa, gym and pool, and opulent guest quarters including sculptures by Henry Moore and a hanging glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly.

Editor's note: This story has been amended to reflect that the Attessa IV was in North Vancouver July 8, but did not leave North Vancouver on that date.

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€20M price drop on 101m WYG superyacht Attessa IV

A €20,000,000 price drop has been announced on the 101.2-metre superyacht Attessa IV, listed with Merle Wood of Merle Wood & Associates.

Originally built in Japan, the steel-hulled yacht was totally rebuilt in Vancouver, Canada, over four years by Washington Yachting Group (WYG) and completed in 2010. Diana Yacht Design was the original naval architect but Gregory Marshall was brought in for the rebuild. She won the "Best Rebuilt Yacht" Neptune at the World Superyacht Awards in 2011.

Attessa IV accommodates up to 18 guests in nine staterooms, including an owner's private apartment with its own living room, access to a private outside deck with a dining table and a private helicopter pad. Four of the remaining guest cabins are located on the upper deck and the other four are on the lower deck. There are quarters for a crew of 28.

Attessa IV boasts a spa on the lower deck with treatment rooms, sauna, steam room and a separate gym. The lower deck also features a beach club aft of the gym with a Jacuzzi and ample seating. Guests can enjoy a large pool on the sundeck, which has a separate shallow area for children.

A large private cinema on the main deck is one of the standout features as well as a glass elevator running from the lower deck to the sky lounge deck. Bulletproof glass windows and a Kevlar-lined hull and superstructure make this 2,864GT yacht for sale perfect for an owner who puts personal security high on their wish list.

She has a cruising speed of 18 knots, a range of 7,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 25 knots.

Attessa IV is lying in Cabo, Mexico, and now asking €129,500,000.

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Discovering Elegance: The Attessa IV Yacht – A Marvel of Luxury on the High Seas

Setting sail into a world of opulence and sophistication, the Attessa IV yacht emerges as a beacon of luxury in the realm of marine craftsmanship. This magnificent vessel, with its striking silhouette and unrivaled amenities, epitomizes the pinnacle of yachting excellence. In this in-depth exploration, we unveil the mesmerizing features, design intricacies, and the captivating history that make the Attessa IV an icon of refined maritime living.

A Glimpse into the Past

The saga of the Attessa IV began with its original construction in 1999 by Feadship, a renowned Dutch shipyard synonymous with uncompromising quality. Originally named “Evergreen,” the yacht underwent a transformative journey under the meticulous eye of its owner, changing both in aesthetics and grandeur over the years. In 2010, the vessel emerged as the Attessa IV, a testament to its owner’s commitment to creating a nautical masterpiece.

Design Marvel: Exterior Elegance

The exterior design of the Attessa IV is a symphony of sleek lines and modern aesthetics. Standing at an impressive 100 meters, this mega-yacht is a visual feast with its polished aluminum superstructure and a distinctive blue hull that gracefully cuts through the waves. The expansive deck spaces are meticulously designed for both relaxation and entertainment, offering panoramic views of the open sea from every vantage point.

On the upper deck, a helipad adds a touch of practical luxury, allowing seamless access for those arriving by air. The sundeck, equipped with a Jacuzzi and ample sun loungers, invites guests to bask in the sun while enjoying the breathtaking vistas that stretch to the horizon. The exterior design is not just about aesthetics; it’s a harmonious blend of form and function that defines the Attessa IV.

Luxurious Interiors: A Palace on Water

Step into the opulent interiors of the Attessa IV, and you’re greeted by a world of refined elegance. The yacht’s interior was masterfully crafted by the esteemed designers at Glade Johnson Design, ensuring a seamless flow between spaces and a harmonious balance of luxury and comfort.

The main salon, adorned with plush furnishings and bespoke décor, exudes an ambiance of timeless sophistication. The dining area, bathed in natural light filtering through expansive windows, sets the stage for exquisite culinary experiences crafted by a dedicated onboard chef. Every cabin and suite is a private sanctuary, boasting tasteful design elements and the latest in comfort technology.

State-of-the-Art Amenities

What sets the Attessa IV apart is not just its aesthetic appeal but also the unparalleled amenities that cater to the desires of those accustomed to the finest things in life. The onboard cinema, complete with plush seating and cutting-edge audiovisual technology, transforms movie nights into a cinematic experience at sea.

The yacht’s gymnasium, spa, and wellness facilities provide a haven for health enthusiasts, ensuring that guests can maintain their fitness routines while surrounded by the tranquility of the open ocean. For water sports enthusiasts, the Attessa IV is equipped with a range of toys and tenders, promising endless adventures in the azure waters.

Environmental Stewardship

Beyond its lavish features, the Attessa IV embraces a commitment to environmental responsibility. With advanced propulsion systems and eco-friendly technologies, the yacht strives to minimize its ecological footprint, setting a new standard for sustainability in the world of luxury yachting.

Legacy of Excellence

The Attessa IV stands not just as a vessel but as a testament to the vision and passion of its owner. With a legacy of excellence that spans decades, this yacht continues to capture the imagination of those who appreciate the finer things in life and seek a maritime experience that transcends the ordinary.

In conclusion, the Attessa IV yacht is a paragon of nautical magnificence, seamlessly blending cutting-edge design, sumptuous comfort, and a commitment to environmental consciousness. As it graces the high seas, the Attessa IV invites a privileged few to embark on a voyage where luxury knows no bounds, and the art of yachting reaches new heights.

Who owns the yacht Attessa iV?

The owner of the yacht Attessa IV is Dennis Washington, a prominent American industrialist and billionaire. Dennis Washington is involved in various industries, including construction, mining, and transportation. Please note that ownership information for luxury assets like yachts can change, and it’s advisable to check the latest and most accurate information from reliable sources or official announcements for the current owner of the Attessa IV yacht.

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The ‘Reborn’ Luxury Yacht Attessa IV Visits Puerto Vallarta

You may have seen mega yacht Attessa IV sailing around Puerto Vallarta in the last few days. Valued at $250 million USD, this World Superyacht Awards 2011 winner is one of a kind 328-foot long vessel equipped with its own helicopter. Not only is it one of the largest luxury motor yachts in the world, but also conceals a peculiar story.

Originally built as Evergreen in 1999 for Taiwanese shipping tycoon Chang Yung-fa − late founder and chairman of the Evergreen Group − , it was a 298-foot vessel designed by Diana Yacht Design. It had a conservative design and among its features, there was a large karaoke bar, 15 cabins for guests and room for 21 crew members. In 2007 it was sold to the current owner Dennis Washington.

Washington is an American industrialist and billionaire who owns the Washington Group Intl. and Seaspan Marine Corporation. With an estimated net worth around $6 billion − making him the 79 th -richest person in the US − , he is well known for his taste for luxury mega yachts, owning up to three of them:  the Feadship Attessa , the St. Eval and the Attessa IV itself.

But Washington is not the typical yacht lover: he likes to rebuild yachts instead of building new custom ones. In this case, the reconstruction for the Attessa IV took a 3.5-year long period where the bow, stern, shape, structure, interior layout and features were all changed. Finally, in 2010, under supervision of Washington Yachting Group and thanks to the talents of designers Glade Johnson and Washington’s own wife Phyllis, as well as naval architect Gregory K. Marshall’s work, the ‘new’ Attessa IV was born.

The reborn luxury mega yacht offers 2,322 square meters of interior and provides deluxe accommodation for 36 guests and a crew of 21 members. The yacht includes many amazing features like a spa on the lower deck and top deck, a large Spa Pool and a hanging glass sculpture by artist Dale Chihuly. The super yacht also boasts a new foredeck tender garage and a striking helipad. Some of the celebrity guests that have been spotted enjoying the yacht is Bill Gates, who went on a family holiday in Belize in 2012.

If you’re curious to see the luxurious interiors of the Attessa IV and want to know more about the story of the yacht told by the protagonists themselves, we recommend you to watch this video:

David Geffen’s yacht ‘Rising Sun’ spotted in Puerto Vallarta

Steven Spielberg’s 'Jaws'-dropping mega yacht visits Puerto Vallarta

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Attessa III

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ATTESSA III yacht NOT for charter*

68.58m  /  225' | feadship | 1998 / 2003.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Impressive 5,758nm range
• Lloyds Register classification
• Sleeps 10 overnight

The 68.58m/225' motor yacht 'Attessa III' (ex. Lady Aviva) was built by Feadship in the Netherlands at their De Kaag shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Glade Johnson Design and she was completed in 1998. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Glade Johnson Design and she was last refitted in 2003.

Guest Accommodation

Attessa III has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 15 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

Attessa III is built with a steel hull and aluminium / grp superstructure. Attessa III comfortably cruises at 13 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 16 knots with a range of up to 5,758 nautical miles from her 140,000 litre fuel tanks. Her water tanks store around 41,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules.

*Charter Attessa III Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Attessa III is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegations: Timeline and what to know

Sean “ Diddy ” Combs has been hit with a wave of civil lawsuits in recent months and is now a subject of a federal investigation, sources have told NBC News.

Federal agents this week executed searches of Combs’ properties , where guns were found, and his phones were seized at an airport as part of a warrant issued from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, law enforcement sources have said.

Since November, Combs has been hit with five lawsuits in New York accusing him of sexual assault, sexual trafficking and engaging in other criminal activity. Combs has denied all of the allegations, calling them sickening.

A source familiar with the matter told NBC News that at least four people have been interviewed about allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms.

Aaron Dyer, an attorney for Combs, described the raids this week as a “gross overuse of military-level force.” Neither Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested, Dyer noted in his statement.

Here are the lawsuits that were filed against Combs prior to the raid. Combs has denied all of the allegations individually through statements by his representatives.

November 2023: Cassie and two others file suit

The singer Cassie, Combs’ former romantic partner, shocked many in November when she filed a civil suit against Combs alleging that the music mogul sexually and physically abused her during the course of their relationship. She filed her case on Nov. 16 under New York state’s Adult Survivors Act, which gave adult victims of sexual violence a one-year window to file civil claims regardless of the statute of limitations.

In the suit, Cassie alleged that Combs raped her, beat her in fits of “uncontrollable rage” and exerted a “tight hold over her life.” She alleged that he would force her to engage in sex acts he called “Freak Offs” with other men, often sex workers whom he’d pay to travel with them, while he watched.

The abuse ranged from 2007 until Cassie left him in late 2018, the suit said.

Combs vehemently denied the allegations from Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura. They settled the suit a day after it was filed.

Joie Dickerson-Neal said Cassie’s lawsuit inspired her to come forward and file a suit against Combs on Nov. 23, a day before the Adult Survivors Act was set to expire.

Dickerson-Neal said that Combs drugged her, sexually assaulted her and recorded the assault without her knowledge while she was a student in 1991. She agreed to have dinner with Combs on Jan. 3, 1991, in Harlem while on winter break from Syracuse University, according to her suit.

It was there that Combs “intentionally drugged” her and then took her to a place where he was staying, the suit said. Dickerson-Neal said she “lacked the physical ability or mental capacity to fend Combs off” as he sexually assaulted her.

She later learned from a male friend that Combs had filmed the assault and showed it to other people, the suit said. Combs denied her allegations.

On the last day of eligibility under the Adult Survivors Act, Liza Gardner filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 16 years old.

Gardner alleged that in either 1990 or 1991 she and a friend met Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall at an event held by MCA Records in Manhattan. After the party, she was invited back to Hall’s apartment with Combs, the suit said, and the two offered her drinks throughout the night.

Combs then coerced her into having sex, the suit said, leaving Gardner “shocked and traumatized.” Hall barged into the room after Combs was done, pinned her down, and sexually assaulted her, according to the suit.

Hall did not return NBC News’ request for comment on the lawsuit. Combs denied Gardner’s allegations in a statement through his representative.

December 2023: Jane Doe says she was gang-raped at 17

Then in December, a Jane Doe filed a lawsuit alleging that she was gang-raped and sex-trafficked by Combs and Harve Pierre, a former longtime president of Combs’ record label. The unidentified woman said the assault happened in 2003, when she was 17 and Combs was 34.

According to the suit, she met Combs and Pierre at a lounge in Detroit and Combs convinced her to travel with them on a private jet to New York City. Before they left the lounge, the suit said, Pierre smoked crack cocaine and forced Doe to perform oral sex on him.

Doe was taken to a studio in New York City, where Combs, Pierre and a third defendant plied her with “copious amounts of drugs and alcohol,” the suit said. The three men took turns raping her in a bathroom at the studio after she was too inebriated to consent, according to the suit.

The men allegedly left her on the bathroom floor once they were done and she was flown back to Michigan, the suit said. Combs denied the assault allegations and Pierre called the suit “a tale of fiction.”

February 2024: Rodney Jones accuses Combs of ‘RICO enterprise’

In February, a man named Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones alleged in a federal suit that Combs and his associates engaged in “serious illegal activity.”

Jones worked as a producer on Combs’ latest album, but also lived and traveled with him from September 2022 to November 2023, according to his lawsuit. He alleged that during that time he was sexually harassed by Combs, pressured to engage in sexual acts, forced to procure sex workers for Combs and witnessed Combs giving drinks laced with drugs to people at parties.

The suit said that Combs required Jones to “record him constantly,” which resulted in Jones obtaining hours of footage in which Combs and his staff allegedly engaged in criminal conduct. Screenshots of video clips were included in the suit, described as being from parties in which underage girls and sex workers were present.

Jones alleged that Combs was attempting to groom him into having a sexual relationship with him. The lawsuit said that Combs sexually harassed and assaulted Jones while he lived at Combs’ homes in Florida, Los Angeles and New York, as well as on a yacht Combs rented in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Jones alleged that he and another man, Brendan Paul, were asked to travel with drugs and firearms on Combs’ behalf.

In amended filings, Jones additionally accused Combs and his son of being involved in a 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles recording studio , which both men denied.

An attorney for Combs said Jones’ “reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.”

March 2024: Combs’ homes searched by federal agents

On March 25, agents with Homeland Security Investigations raided Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami. Three sources familiar with the matter told NBC News that firearms were found at his residences, but no additional details were provided.

At the time of the raids, Combs was on his way to a scheduled trip to the Bahamas and was stopped at a Miami airport prior to departure. Officials seized his cellphones, sources said.

Dyer, one of Combs’ attorneys, issued a statement following the raids and said that Combs “was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.” He described the raid as an ambush, saying there’s been a rush to judgment based on “meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”

“There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations,” Dyer said. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”

Brendan Paul, 25, was arrested at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport at the same time Combs was stopped at the airport. A law enforcement source familiar with the matter confirmed that Paul is a Combs associate. It is currently unclear whether the arrest was related to the raids.

Paul was named as an employee of Combs’ in Jones’ suit, which described him as someone who acquires and distributes drugs and guns on Combs’ behalf. Combs allegedly required Paul and others he paid to carry black pouches that contained drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, marijuana and mushrooms.

A Miami-Dade police report showed Paul was charged with possession of suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy, and court records show he was bonded out of custody the next day.

According to the police report, local law enforcement was with agents from Homeland Security and customs officers at the time of Paul’s arrest. The contraband items were found in Paul’s travel bags, the report said.

Paul’s attorney, Brian Bieber, told NBC News, “We do not plan on trying this case in the media — all issues will be dealt with in Court.” A woman who answered the phone at a number listed for Paul hung up on an NBC News reporter.

Doha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.

Diana Dasrath is entertainment producer and senior reporter for NBC News covering all platforms.

Andrew Blankstein is an investigative reporter for NBC News. He covers the Western U.S., specializing in crime, courts and homeland security. 

Insiders still have no idea what's going to happen to Russian oligarchs' seized superyachts

• It's been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to sanctions against Russian oligarchs.
• Many of their superyachts were seized or frozen , leading industry insiders to question their fate.
• The yachts, some of which are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, remain in a state of limbo.

More than two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the boating world still doesn't have many answers about what's going on with the very large, expensive elephants in the sea: oligarchs' superyachts .

The war prompted many governments to enact sanctions against Russia's richest , including seizing their superyachts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But it's unclear whether they can be sold or who'd buy them, leaving ports peppered with massive boats stuck in a floating limbo.

"The Russian problem, it's becoming a bigger and bigger and bigger problem," one luxury yacht broker told Business Insider at the Palm Beach International Boat Show last week. Like many others, he requested not to be named, given the sensitive nature of the matter at hand and the generally discreet nature of the industry.

Russia has been a massive player in the massive boat market for a long time. In August 2021 — about six months before Russia's Ukraine invasion — Russians owned the second-largest share of yachts over 40 meters in length, according to a report from the industry publication SuperYacht Times.

They were responsible for 16% of new build superyacht purchases in the decade preceding the report and are known for splashing out on extravagant interiors and unique features. (One builder BI spoke to recalled a mandate from an oligarch for a large safe in the owner's cabin in which he could keep his rifles. The builder later learned he'd use them to skeet shoot on deck.)

But those sales have now screeched to a halt as oligarchs get hit by international sanctions. At least a dozen superyachts — worth well over $1 billion combined — have been affected.

And no one is quite sure what will happen to them.

Russia's sanctioned superyachts are hard to buy and sell

The first problem is that many of the yachts are "frozen" — not seized. That means that although the Russian owners can't operate or collect them, they don't technically belong to an overseas government, so they can't be sold without special permission.

Earlier this month, federal prosecutors petitioned a judge asking for consent to sell the Amadea, the 106-meter superyacht that has been docked in San Diego and costs the US as much as $922,000 a month to maintain.

"I've had some inquiries, but all you can tell them is we don't know the outcome yet" of the case, another superyacht broker told BI at the yacht show.

Related stories

And despite the broker's claim of interest in yachts like Amadea , most ultrarich — or at least their brokers — don't want to go near the vessels with a ten-foot pole, even if the government does get legal permission to sell them.

"How does it look if you bought a Russian boat?" Julia Simpson, a broker at Thompson of Monaco, said. "Even if it's completely legal and normal, there are too many things on the line," she said, like how the original owner got their money and whether that could make the new buyer look bad.

There are also possible legal implications, as it's hard for the government to prove who actually owns the yachts.

"Oligarchs typically structure their ownership of these high-value assets through a web of offshore shell companies and trusts that is designed to conceal the true owner," Joshua Naftalis, a former federal prosecutor who now works for Pallas Partners, told BI.

And if the government does assume ownership, it's highly dependent on court orders. For example, a Russian whose yacht had been seized by the French government regained access to his boat after winning a legal battle in 2022.

"It's a very difficult process to buy them," Ralph Dazert, the head of intelligence at SuperYacht Times, told BI. "There is a high risk of the former (Russian) owner suing you to get the boat back."

He pointed to the Alfa Nero, the 82-meter yacht that Eric Schmidt planned to purchase for $67 million last year in an auction put on by Antigua and Barbuda. He backed out after various parties tried to block the sale, likely deeming it not worth the legal headache.

"When the reason for sanctioning goes away, which it may do," the Russian owners will try to get their boats back , Simpson said. After all, "the government's not going to pay them."'

That said, if sanctions are dropped, the yachts will be worth much less than when they were seized, as a boat not in use deteriorates much faster than one sailing the seas.

"Those yachts need to be used to be kept in shape, kept in condition," the second broker said. "​​Just having them sit at the dock with a temporary crew on board is not good for the boats."

And the sanctioned Russians who have managed to maintain control of their superyachts won't have an easy time offloading them in the future.

Americans who try to do business with sanctioned oligarchs would have a number of hoops to jump through — like finding a bank to process the purchase, which would be next to impossible. If somehow they did and the government caught wind, they'd face hefty penalties and the transaction would be void.

So Russia's richest have found themselves "stuck" sailing in a select few countries that will let them, like the Maldives, Montenegro, and Dubai.

Watch: Video of Russian naval ship explosion shows a much-needed win for Ukraine

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Business | South Florida yacht brokers hit with lawsuits…

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Business | south florida yacht brokers hit with lawsuits that claim 10% commissions violate antitrust laws.

Two newly filed federal lawsuits claim that 10% sales commissions required by South Florida’s yacht broker industry are anticompetitive and violate antitrust laws.

The claims follow an October finding by a federal jury in Kansas City, Missouri, that the National Association of Realtors conspired with brokers to artificially inflate commissions paid to real estate brokers. The ruling, and a March 15 settlement by the Realtors, is expected to radically change how homes are sold in the United States.

Both lawsuits involving yacht brokers name as defendants the International Yacht Brokers Association, based in Fort Lauderdale, the Yacht Brokers Association of America, Boats Group LLC and YATCO LLC.

Also listed as defendants in both suits are a who’s who of South Florida-based yacht brokers, including Denison Yacht Sales, MarineMax Inc., Galati Yacht Sales Inc., Allied Marine Inc., Tournament Yacht Sales LLC and Northrop & Johnson Yacht Ships, among others.

Nearly all of the defendants are headquartered in South Florida.

The most recent suit, filed on March 22, proposes a class of plaintiffs that includes anyone who listed vessels on certain Multiple Listing Services using a listing agent or broker affiliated with one of the defendants and paid a buyer’s broker commission since March 22, 2020.

The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit is Kip Lamar Snell, identified as an Alabama resident. Snell entered into an agreement with Galati to sell a 41-foot Express Cruiser Sea Ray in July 2020 and ended up paying a $12,000 commission on the $120,000 sale price, the suit states. The lawsuit lists as defendants 15 brokers and six organizations that promote the yacht trade or operate Multiple Listing Services.

That lawsuit follows one filed on Feb. 29 that proposes a class of plaintiffs that includes anyone who paid a commission to a listing broker affiliated with the defendants since Feb. 19, 2020. It lists as defendants 11 brokers and five organizations that promote the yacht trade or operate Multiple Listing Services.

The lead plaintiff in that suit is Ya Mon Expeditions, a Wyoming company that paid a “substantial broker commission” when it sold a vessel in January 2023 while represented by Tournament Yacht Sales of Tequesta.

The most recent complaint accuses the trade associations of colluding with brokers to “enforce an anticompetitive restraint that requires (sellers of pre-owned yachts and boats) to pay a brokerage fee to the buyer’s broker and a total aggregate commission fee that is inflated as a condition for selling their yachts.”

The complaint states the typical commission is 10% and is shared between the seller’s broker and the buyer’s broker under terms spelled out in Central Listing Agreements provided by the brokers associations, including the International Yacht Brokers Association and the Yacht Brokers Association of America.

Only boat brokers are able to list boats and yachts on such Multiple Listing Services as YachtWorld.com, BoatTrader.com and Boats.com, and the Multiple Listing Services will not accept listings from owners who want to sell their vessels themselves, the lawsuit states.

Yacht owners are “severely disadvantaged” if they do not list their boats for sale on the listing services, while buyers suffer because their brokers are “financially incentivized” to show boats that will earn them standard “and inflated” commission rates of 4% to 5% through co-brokerage transactions, the complaint states.

None of the defendants contacted for this story responded to a request for comment, and no response has been filed yet in either case.

Robert Allen Jr., whose Miami-based law firm Robert Allen Law represents the International Yacht Brokers Association, did not respond to emails or return a phone call.

A woman who answered the phone at the International Yacht Brokers Association said, “We have no comment on that,” and hung up after a reporter asked for her name.

Of six brokers contacted for comment about the lawsuits, only Tournament Yacht Sales responded to emails. “No comment,” the company’s response stated.

Overall commissions have increased faster than the rate of inflation in recent years as the price of larger boats and yachts have increased, according to the lawsuit that lists Snell as lead plaintiff.

The result is that boat owners pay “hundreds of millions of dollars” in inflated commissions each year, the suit alleges.

Both lawsuits allege violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act that are upheld by “brokers who should be competing with one another but, instead, cooperate with each other to the detriment of pre-owned boat sellers.”

Some brokerages represent both buyers and sellers and retain the entire 10% commissions, the suits state.

The trade associations enforce rules requiring brokers to offer their boats through a listing service and to share commissions, the suits state, adding that they can impose significant penalties on members who do not comply with their rules.

Yacht purchasers are disadvantaged by the current system, the lawsuit alleges, because their agents would otherwise negotiate for their business by decreasing their commission rates.

But buyer brokers’ commissions have remained constant despite their diminishing role, the suits state. Many buyers today find boats they are interested in purchasing through online searches and enlist the services of a buyer’s broker only after identifying the yacht they want to buy, the suits claim.

The lawsuits seek an order declaring the commission structure to be illegal, a permanent injunction outlawing what they describe as anticompetitive conduct, plus damages and/or restitution, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees.

Paul Geller, an attorney for one of two law firms representing the class that includes Snell, acknowledged “parallels between the allegations relating to commissions in the real estate and yacht markets.”

In the real estate matter, the National Association of Realtors on March 15 agreed to a $418 million proposed settlement that would free home sellers from paying commissions to brokers for both sellers and buyers.

After a jury ruled for the plaintiffs in the case against the National Association of Realtors in October, numerous lawsuits were filed across the country with similar allegations, including one in December against the Florida Association of Realtors and 16 brokerages.

“At bottom, the goals of (the suit against the yacht brokers) are similar: protecting consumers by challenging what we allege to be anti-competitive conduct,” Geller said by email. “We believe in the universal truth that consumers benefit by increased transparency and the competitive pricing that results from negotiated terms, including commissions.”

Geller is a partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, which specializes in securities litigation on behalf of investors. The firm has offices in 10 cities, including Boca Raton.

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at [email protected].

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How $30 Plushy Penguins Helped An NFT Company Survive Crypto Winter

Move over bored apes. thanks to a contract with walmart to sell stuffed toy versions of its cute aquatic birds,the igloo co is home to the world’s hottest nft collection., by maria gracia santillana linares , forbes staff.

A isle 17 of the Walmart Supercenter in North Bergen, New Jersey is one of a half dozen devoted to the children’s toys and games. Christmas season has long passed, but there’s one item still flying off the shelves despite the fact that the birds depicted by the cartoonish plushies and plastic figurines inside the boxes, are incapable of flight. Adorable plushies, known as Pudgy Penguins, are selling fast at more than 3,000 Walmarts as well as on Amazon.com and Ebay. Polar Pete, for example, is an 8-inch yellow penguin, holding a carrot and wearing white pullover hat adorned with a polar bear’s face. Cowboy Carl, is a 4.5-inch penguin in black sunglasses and a tall cowboy hat, that looks like he’s ready to make friends.

The plushy penguins are actually physical versions of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), digital collectibles, that are now selling on crypto marketplaces for as much as $500,000 each. These cute toy counterparts to the virtual world collectibles, retail in stores for $8 to $30. They are a big reason why the upstart NFT brand Pudgy Penguins and the company that peddles them, Miami-based The Igloo Company are now thriving, while NFT stalwarts like Yuga Lab’s Bored Ape Yacht Club and Chiru Labs’ Azuki are languishing.

Mary Beth Koeth for Forbes

In 2023 NFT trading volume plummeted more than 50% to $12.6 billion , according to Dapp Radar. Floor prices for profile-picture collections like the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Doodle and Azuki fell nearly 60%. The virtual world prices paid for Pudgy Penguins NFTs, by contrast, more than doubled. Today the total market value of Pudgy Penguin NFTs amounts to more than $400 million, and the cheapest virtual penguin sells for $45,000.

L aunched in July 2021, Pudgy Penguins are the creation of four college friends who decided to get in on NFT mania. Just a few months after the graphic artist Beeple sold a collection of NFTs at Christie’s auction house for $69 million, the computer savvy quartet generated 8,888 Pudgy Penguins images, which were then minted as NFTs at a cost of about $0.03 cents each. Their collection sold out in 20 minutes for about $90 a piece, netting them more than $800,000. Unlike other popular NFT collections at the time whose avatars were often pixelated, edgy or even grotesque, Pudgy Penguins were characterized by their vibrant colors, small beaks, and adorable round faces.

Pudgy Penguin’s were so successful that soon after the initial collection debuted its founders launched 22,222-edition of Lil Pudgy’s, smaller versions of the original collection. Their success was short-lived. NFT prices started declining with the crypto market at the end of 2021, and to make matters worse, the community of Pudgy Penguin owners became disillusioned with how the founding team was managing the collection. Led by University of Central Florida student Cole Villemain, the founding team had made grand promises about releasing a children’s book and a pudgy penguins game, with no timeline of when those would come to fruition. Their penguins were even briefly delisted by NFT marketplace OpenSea. It all came to a head when Villemain hinted at a big drop in December 2021: While many holders speculated that it would be the virtual game, they were disappointed to find out it was merely a fishing rod accessory for the penguins. By Christmas day 2021, Pudgy Penguin prices had dropped from a high of 2.7 eth (about $10,200) following its launch, to 0.55 eth, about $2,330 at the time.

“We were inexperienced college students,” says Villemain. “We couldn’t execute the things we wanted to do.”

Enter serial entrepreneur Luca Schnetzler, then a 23-year-old high school dropout known online as Luca Netz, who had developed a track record of helping influencers capitalize on their fame by selling branded merchandise, mainly t-shirts and hats. His clients have included musician Kendrick Lamar, influencer brothers Jake and Logan Paul and TikTok collective The Hype House , among others. Netz was also successful in getting influencers to sell costume jewelry he acquired on AliExpress. At 18, Netz claims he was already a self-made millionaire and in his early 20s he served as chief marketing officer at clothing company Von Dutch and NERF competitor Gelblaster.

PENGUINS SOARING

The prices of pudgy penguin nfts have increased nearly tenfold since march 2023, turning a $10,000 purchase into $105,000. bitwise’s blue-chip nft index fund of 10 top selling nfts rose only 12%..

Netz saw big potential in the languishing Pudgy Penguin NFT brand. After buying his own Pudgy Penguin NFT, he immersed himself in the Pudgy Penguin online community and after months of negotiating a deal, bought copyright ownership and the initial creator addresses (where royalties accrued) of Pudgy Penguins for $2.5 million in April 2022. His strategy was straightforward: build trust with Penguin holders, follow through on some of the promised projects, like video games and books, and expand the businesses’ revenue streams, particularly in the physical world.

"Very few times in life, you have the ability to kinda shape the future,” says Netz, now 25. “This was my opportunity to do so."

One of the first things Netz did was to secure financing for his Pudgy Penguin reboot. He sought out venture funds, DMing crypto investors before eventually closing a $9 million seed round led by crypto venture firm 1kx Capital the week FTX collapsed in November 2022.

Strategically Netz decided that Pudgy Penguins would rely less on royalties than most NFT companies. One of the big draws for artists and companies like Yuga Labs that create NFT collections has always been the ability to collect a 5-10% cut of any secondary sale, meaning that the founders and creators received a constant revenue stream from the billions in trading activity. But this idealistic system has run into problems: Royalties are not automatically applied in the payments, so enforcing these fees fell to NFT marketplaces. As the crypto markets and NFT prices and volume fell in 2022, marketplaces began cutting fees to remain competitive. Royalties were the first thing to go.

Pudgy Penguins has only generated $8 million in royalties since inception according to crypto data research firm Nansen. “Royalties are not sustainable,” says Netz. “You can’t control ether prices and you can’t control whether marketplaces will enforce the royalties.” Since inception, Yuga Labs has generated $59 million from Bored Apes and Chiru Labs has made $43 million from its Azuki NFTs, but in the last year their royalties have fallen sharply.

Next, Netz went to work building up the Pudgy Penguin brand outside of NFT enclaves. By posting cute animations of colorful Pudgy Penguins experiencing everyday Gen Z hardships, like taking a good selfie or going through skincare routines, Pudgy Penguin NFT collection amassed a total of 1.3 million followers on Instagram and nearly nine million views on TikTok, where Netz was able to monetize the content as part of the platform’s Creator Fund.

Perhaps the most unexpected Netz innovation has been Pudgy Penguin’s presence on Giphy, a meme-making platform where brands can create short reaction clips sent via iMessage, WhatsApp and other texting platforms. Pudgy Penguin’s account has amassed 16.6 billion views , besting Disney’s 16 billion.

“The goal is to make pudgy the most recognizable brand in the world, how it does that doesn’t really matter,” says Peter Pan, partner at 1kx Capital, lead investor of The Igloo Company’s seed round.

Then came the retail push. Netz’s plan involved a full line of merch, from hats and pins and stickers to plushies and plastic figurines, and was able to partner with Israel’s PMI Toys for manufacturing and merchandising. In May 2023, its first drop of physical goods sold out in 48 hours through Amazon and brought in $500,000 in sales, according to the company. Then Netz was able to secure distribution in retailers like Five Below and Macy’s. Finally, in September 2023, Netz landed Walmart giving Pudgy Penguins a 2,000 plus store launch. To date the company has sold more than one million toys via its retail partners, generating $10 million in sales. Walmart has re-upped for another season, adding 1,100 more stores and Pudgy Penguins will be available at Target in April. According to Omer Dekel, CEO at Pudgy’s manufacturer, an exclusive of Pudge Penguins could soon be coming to Walgreens.

As merchandise began flying off retail shelves, NFT prices have been soaring. Since the Walmart launch, the floor price of Pudgy Penguin NFTs has risen from 4.2 eth to a recent high of 20 eth, or roughly $58,000. All told, there have been more than $800 million in Pudgy Penguin NFT sales since Netz took over in 2022.

Says Juan Leon, senior crypto research analyst at Bitwise Investments of Pudgy’s, “They have been nothing short of a masterclass in brand building.”

O ne big driver behind Pudgy Penguin’s NFT success has been its approach to sharing royalties from physical toys and plushies with current digital collectible owners.

Because the NFT holders actually own the intellectual property of their unique Pudgy Penguin, a royalty accrues to them based on the sales of associated physical versions of their non fungible token. In essence, Netz’ Igloo Company is licensing out the rights from the holders of the corresponding NFTs. As a result, lucky owners of popular Walmart Pudgy Penguins earn a 5% royalty on net revenues. Nearly 130 NFTs have been licensed for physical products so far.

In order to be licensed, Pudgy Penguin NFT holders submit their NFT to a pool of potential characters in the Igloo Company’s in-house Overpass IP platform. The company can then choose to use them for their next toy, book or even upcoming game. Take Pudgy Man Plushie, for example, a penguin wearing a superhero costume and reflective sunglasses. You can buy the toy on Pudgy Penguin’s website for $29.99 or at various other online toy merchants. In January someone paid $110,000 for its NFT and as a result, a small cut of the sales of this popular plushie will go to the new owner.

Netz’ real world royalty scheme for NFT owners isn't the first. Bored Ape Yacht Club and Crypto Punk NFT holders have intellectual property rights to their images, giving owners the right to license them. A small number of products – including clothes, hot sauces and even cannabis companies have used Bored Ape and Crypto Punk imagery, but sales have been limited.

Luca Netz’ adorable penguins, however, appear to be a metaverse game changer. Proving that it's not only possible to hug an NFT, but profitable as well.

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