David Copperfield may be a master of grand illusions, but his skills don’t seem to apply to his Midtown apartment. The famous magician is facing a lawsuit that accuses him of leaving his 54th-floor apartment at 117 East 57th Street in a state of severe disrepair. The complaint, filed Tuesday in New York, alleges that Copperfield allowed the property to deteriorate to the point where it could jeopardize the structural integrity of the entire building.
According to the board of The Galleria, Copperfield has caused approximately $3 million in damages to his once-pristine multilevel penthouse and neighboring units. The lawsuit claims that Copperfield, who still owns the apartment but no longer lives there, has left it in “appalling” condition. The complaint questions why he would let the property fall into such disrepair, especially as he is attempting to sell it.
The lawsuit also highlights potential health risks and physical decay resulting from Copperfield’s alleged neglect. The complaint accuses him of denying responsibility for the damage and failing to address the serious issues affecting the building and its residents.
Copperfield, born David Kotkin in Metuchen, New Jersey, began his career as “Davino, the Boy Magician” at the age of 12. Over the years, he has accumulated 21 Emmy Awards, been named a King of Magic by the Society of American Magicians, and received the Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress.
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The Galleria board is suing Copperfield to force him to repair the damage in his apartment and to cover the costs of replacing a faulty valve they attribute to his neglect. The complaint includes photos showing severe damage, such as peeling paint, mold, and water-stained carpets.
The lawsuit also notes a history of complaints about Copperfield’s management of the apartment since he purchased it for $7.4 million in 1997. In 2015, he made headlines when a rooftop pool burst and flooded his penthouse and other units below. After moving out in 2018 and terminating the maintenance staff, Copperfield allegedly neglected the mechanical equipment servicing his apartment, leading to a significant water leak that affected other units, elevator shafts, and hallways. The board estimates the total damage at around $2.5 million.
“In 2018, Copperfield abandoned the Unit, stripping it of its furniture and fixtures,” the complaint states. “Since then, Copperfield has let the Unit devolve into a state of complete dilapidation,” the complaint states. “To say that he trashed the Unit is an understatement. The pictures of the Unit are appalling and speak for themselves.”
An architect’s recent evaluation found that the unresolved water damage poses a threat to the building’s concrete structure and the health and safety of nearby residents. The board claims that Copperfield only made superficial repairs and did not address the more critical issues.
The lawsuit mentions that Copperfield is looking to sell the unit, though it is not currently listed.
Earlier this year, Copperfield faced allegations of sexual misconduct from more than a dozen women, spanning from the 1980s to 2014. He has denied any wrongdoing. Additionally, in 2016, he set a record by purchasing a 31,000-square-foot mansion in Las Vegas for $17.6 million.
Copperfield has not responded to requests for comment.
