And if there were a pressing problem requiring immediate attention, hed be the first one to be hands-on, as youd expect from a guy who once was a plumber, long before he became the king of the castle. Everyone from highly-esteemed diplomats to famous film stars attended the lavish events. Who Makes The Best Margarita on Long Island? For years, Oheka Castle was the site of the hottest parties on the East Coast. All rights reserved. In 2016, then-Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini released. If this near death experience has done anything, is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family.". The district attorney found that Dale had instructed officers to arrest a 29-year-old Roosevelt man, who had testified in an unrelated case that he had been paid to collect signatures for a third-party candidate. The mansion, built by Kahn between 1914 and 1919, is the largest private home in New York, and the second largest in the United States, comprising 127 rooms and over 109,000sqft (10,100m2), as originally configured. Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. In 2013, Melius was part of a controversy that resulted in the ouster of then-Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale over the arrest of a witness in an election lawsuit. In its time as a private residence, it was the site of the kind of lavish parties which inspired the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby and continues to offer that same experience. A lone masked shooter blasted through the car window and struck the 69-year-old in the head before speeding away, reportedly in a Jeep Cherokee. Following a 911 call to police, officers, dogs and a police helicopter descended on the estate. As a family-owned business it is my personal goal to ensure that everyone who enters the gates of OHEKA feels like a welcome guest, whether you are attending a wedding, staying in one of our guest rooms, joining us for dinner, or going on an Historic Mansion Tour. Paying per signature is illegal. Who shot Melius and why? The owner of a prominent wedding venue on Long Island where celebrities and dignitaries have held their lavish nuptials was shot in the head at the sprawling mansion Monday. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. Ron Rosenberg, Melius's close friend and lawyer, is reeling not just at the crime, but also at the fact the his friend is already awake and talking in the hospital and expected to make a full recovery. Who Makes The Best Grilled Cheese on Long Island? The whole thing is awful, Jacobs told the Press shortly after the shooting. Castle owner Melius survived the shooting by a masked gunman in the . Find company research, competitor information, contact details & financial data for SYNPSH of CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE. It is a nod to Kahn's hometown in Germany. Oheka Castle has become a popular location to shoot TV shows and movies. "One of the problems in our society is sometimes we try to look for a reason in the victim for the horrible criminal acts of the perpetrators who have no justification and whatever sick motive they may have is not a reflection of the victim," Rosenberg said. According to sources cited by the newspaper, security footage shows a black sedan pulling into the valet area - followed by a Jeep Cherokee. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated. Kevin Jonas, of the Jonas Brothers, married Danielle Deleasa there in 2009. The power-broker castle owner is a politically connected developer who frequently hosts lavish luncheons, formal dinners, cigar-filled poker games and a variety of other galas at Oheka, the former opulent residence of financier Otto Kahn. Melius is a prominent developer and political contributor and is well-known and well-liked. "He said he had enough to put people in federal prison.". God bless you all.. In recent weeks, Melius spoke with law enforcement authorities investigating political corruption, the source said. It is a popular wedding venue for socialites, celebrities, and dignitaries, as well as the backdrop to many photo shoots, television series and films. It's especially popular as a wedding venue and a filming location for a number of movies and TV shows including the hit HBO series Succession. Visitors were greeted by a long driveway lined with manicured red cedar trees that led you into the property. After its original owner died, Oheka Castle was used as a retirement home and then a military academy until it was eventually abandoned. Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota after visiting shooting victim and Oheka Castle Owner Gary Melius at North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Devils shutout rival Rangers in Game 7 for 1st series win since 2012, Manhattan subway argument turns deadly: NYPD, Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dies at age 84, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. It has been used to film popular shows like. To enter from the castles main entrance, visitors must follow a long winding road and pass through a gated driveway equipped with surveillance cameras. "It was a cowardly act, whoever hired these guys," he said. Police found two full rounds at the scene, Newsday said. Melius, a supporter of the third-party candidate, then contacted Dale seeking to have the young man investigated. Other features of the 443-acre (179ha) complex included an 18-hole golf course designed by golf architect Seth Raynor, one of the largest private greenhouse complexes in America, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a landing strip, orchards, and stables. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW. The owner of Oheka Castle, Gary Melius, was gunned down in his car, authorities said, by a suspect who may have been wearing a mask. So who does Melius think wanted him dead? Police interviewed Melius at his hospital bed for the first time Tuesday. Police stand in front of Oheka Castle on Long Island after owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises Monday. Melius undertook the largest private residential renovation project in the United States to restore the house, which was in a state of almost total disrepair, and recreate the gardens from the original Olmsted plans. Oheka Castle's splendor was immediately visible upon entrance. The school occupied the house until it closed in 1979. Gary Melius, 69 years old, was fired upon at least three times and was hit once on the right side of the head Monday in the parking lot of the castle, a popular event space he owns, Suffolk County . "I cannot believe this; you are not safe anywhere," said Natasha Silne, a newlywed who was supposed to check into the hotel with her husband for their honeymoon. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt; Hunt for gunman continues By ABC13 Tuesday, February 25, 2014 HUNTINGTON, NY It happened on the mansion's lavish grounds in broad. "When I first bought the property, it looked like something from a horror movie," Melius said. Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. Visitors can tour other Historic Gold Coast Mansions, such as the Vanderbilt Museum, Old Westbury Gardens, Mill Neck Manor, and Coe Hall, which collectively were the inspiration for the classic novel, "The Great Gatsby"; relax on one of Long Island's beautiful sandy beaches; enjoy a classical music concert by the LI Philharmonic at the Tilles Center; or indulge in a wine tasting in Long Island's Wine Country on the North Fork. Much of the remainder of the property was developed into single-family homes. He renovated the building and grounds to the tune of $30 million. It was a big gamble, but it paid off. Suozzi still lost in November. "Somebody was watching over him. The Associated Press contributed to this report. That's the bullet investigators say hit the 69-year-old in the head, sources told Newsday. The kickback from the shot caused the gun to malfunction and likely saved his life, 1010 WINS News Director Ben Mevorach reported. Police were not aware of any prior threats on Melius' life, O'Sullivan said. Melius, who is as comfortable rubbing elbows with celebrities and former Presidents as he is with throwing elbows in rough-and-tumble Long Island politics, turned Oheka Castle from a decaying estate into a luxury hotel and events space. John O'Sullivan said. And perhaps upon your visit one of my family members or even myself will have the privilege of meeting you. (Christie M. Farriella for New York Daily News). (KEVIN P. COUGHLIN/Kevin P. Coughlin/Flying Dog Pho), Frank Mackay, chairman of Suffolk's Independence Party, called the shooting "gutless.". Suffolk County Police officers surround the car belonging to Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle, who brought to Syosset Hospital with a gunshot wound on Monday. Oheka Castle owner recovering after murder attempt By abc7NY Tuesday, February 25, 2014 HUNTINGTON, New York Investigators say the gunman wore a black mask and ambushed 69-year old Gary Melius. It's nothing but a miracle.". Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. Melius, who was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, has long been involved with the Democratic, Republican and Independence parties, contributing more than $800,000 total to the three parties since 1999, according to state records. On Tuesday, Melius released a video to the media announcing the reward and thanking the Suffolk County Police Department for its work. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. What is The Best Tex-Mex Restaurant on Long Island? The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. Christopher Twarowski is editor in chief of the Long Island Press and its chief of investigations. (Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News). Authorities on Thursday released surveillance video showing the man who shot the owner of Long Island's . With all his success, Kahn had some hard times too. Suffolk County investigators poring over the surveillance footage believe the two cars might have been involved in what appears to be a botched hit, Newsday said, citing law enforcement and Nassau government sources. Throughout the years Melius has been impartial in his campaign contributions, doling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians without party preference, according to state finance records. I look forward to getting back to work. "We don't have a motive at this point. Or was the gunman simply a disgruntled employee of the Gold Coast castle? Twarowski has written for the financial and metro desks of The Washington Post and has earned more than 100 local, state and national journalism awards and accolades. (Paul Prince) The high-rolling target of a botched hit outside his Long Island. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It was Melius call to former Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Dale requesting Randy White, a Roosevelt resident, be charged with perjury in an election lawsuit that made headlines last Decemberresulting in Whites arrest and Dales resignation following a Nassau County District Attorney probe that ultimately cleared the developer, Dale and Mangano of criminality, but infuriated Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs for giving the Mangano administration a pass. The oldest member of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas, was married at the 109,000-square-foot French-style chateau in 2009. HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The victim of an assassination attempt on Long Island spoke out Tuesday, a year after he was shot in front of the historic mansion he owns. Oheka Castle was bought up in 1984 by developer Gary Melius who purchased the destroyed property and its remaining 23-acre plot for $1.5 million. DAmato told reporters gathered at the hospital that the shooting was an assassination attempt. [8] They were unable to sustain the property themselves, so Melius reacquired it under a long-term lease and later re-purchased the estate, operating it as a weddings and events venue, luxury hotel and conference center.[9]. It was built 100 years ago on one of Long Island's highest points. Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements, Oheka served as partial inspiration for Gatsby's estate in, It served as the mansion "Shadow Pond" in the television show, Oheka was the set of the fictional Avalon Castle in the 2010, It was the location of a charity event in the television show, The castle was the primary filming location of the music video for, The castle was also used in the music video "Cookie" by recording artist, The castle appeared briefly as the location of an economic summit in the 19th episode of the first season of American political drama, The castle was featured on Travel Channel's "Mega Mansions" that also streams on Netflix. Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. No license plates were visible on either vehicle, Newsday reported. Gary Melius criticizes the former district attorney for not releasing the video immediately, says Peddie. Later he was transferred to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Manhasset, where Melius underwent surgery for what police described as a penetrating head wound.. After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. [3] He was determined to build a fireproof building, so he had his architects, Delano and Aldrich, design it in steel and concrete, making it one of the first totally fireproof residential buildings. Oheka Castle, also known as the Otto Kahn Estate, is a hotel located on the North Shore of Long Island, in West Hills, New York, also known as the "Gold Coast," a hamlet in the town of Huntington. State Supreme . Rice's decision drew the ire of her one-time political ally, Nassau County Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs. What is permanently damaged is his reputation, after what he called a character assassination in the press that hurt more than the shooting. It was the largest private residence in the U.S., second only to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. At the power lunches hed host in the mahogany-paneled dining room with an assortment of Long Island luminaries and wanna-beslike New York Giants football stars showing off their heavy Super Bowl rings to enterprising businesswomen showing off their dcolletageMelius would not put on airs or adopt an attitude. Deborah Bryggman works at the mansion as a tour guide. Celebrities who have been married there include Curtis Martin, Kevin Jonas,[10][11] Megyn Kelly,[12] Joey Fatone,[13] Brian McKnight, former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner,[14] and comedian Yannis Pappas. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot Monday by a masked gunman, police said. Newsday will include its entire Melius investigation in Sunday's print edition. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. Police stand in front of Oheka Castle on Long Island after owner Gary Melius was shot on the premises Monday. Former President Bill Clinton presided over the wedding of then-Rep. Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin, a close aide to then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in 2010.
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