The owner of a Gramercy Park bar, Albert Trummer, is being sued by his partner, Arndt Oesterle, for allowing live sex shows and drug use at their high-end cocktail lounge, D.O.M. Oesterle claims that Trummer’s behavior is destroying the business, with allegations of staged sex acts and drug use involving Trummer’s son, Jakob, who is a bartender at the bar. Oesterle also alleges that Trummer has violated city fire codes by setting the bar on fire for entertainment purposes. Trummer, a known fire enthusiast, had previously been arrested for a similar incident at another bar in Chinatown.
Oesterle claims to have invested over $1.6 million in D.O.M. while Trummer has not contributed any funds but instead uses the business as his personal piggy bank. The lawsuit also accuses Trummer of failing to pay rent, issuing bad checks, and refusing to provide access to the bar’s financial records. Trummer denies these allegations and insists that Oesterle is merely an investor and not a true partner in the business. Despite the lawsuit, Trummer maintains that the claims are without merit and that there are no live sex shows at D.O.M.
Trummer’s alleged behavior has been captured on video footage, showing various incidents of inappropriate conduct at the bar. Oesterle’s legal filing also contains images of unidentified men at the bar engaging in suspicious activities, including potential drug use. However, it is unclear from the images what substance is being used or when the incidents occurred. Trummer’s son, Jakob, is shown in the videos participating in the drug use, raising concerns about the overall atmosphere at D.O.M.
In addition to the allegations of drug use and sex shows, Trummer’s actions involving setting the bar on fire have raised concerns about potential fire hazards and safety violations at D.O.M. Oesterle claims that these actions were intended to impress patrons but instead put the business at risk. Trummer’s history of using fire as a form of entertainment, including a previous arrest for a similar incident at another bar, adds to the seriousness of the situation. Oesterle’s lawsuit seeks to hold Trummer accountable for his behavior and protect the future of D.O.M.
Despite Trummer’s denial of the allegations and insistence that Oesterle is not a true partner in the business, the lawsuit highlights serious concerns about the management and operations of D.O.M. The dispute between the two partners raises questions about the future of the bar and the impact of Trummer’s alleged behavior on its reputation and viability. Oesterle’s claims of financial mismanagement, safety violations, and inappropriate conduct within the bar paint a troubling picture of the situation at D.O.M., and the lawsuit seeks to address these issues and protect the interests of all parties involved.
