Sean Ludwick, the BlackHouse Development CEO accused of drunkenly crashing a car and leaving his passenger to die, lost his bid to have the multiple felony charges against him dismissed.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho denied the defense team’s motion to dismiss the most serious charges against Ludwick last week, 27East reported. Ludwick’s lawyers were arguing the grand jury was never shown evidence that proved Ludwick was driving the car registered in his name at the time of the accident. They wanted 10 of the 13 charges dismissed, including all five of the felony charges.
Ludwick [TRDataCustom] is facing up to 32 years over a Sag Harbor crash in 2015 that killed Douglas Elliman broker Paul Hansen. Prosecutors said that, after drunkenly smashing his Porsche convertible into a utility pole, Ludwick dragged Hansen’s body to the side of the road and fled the scene.
In January 2016, Ludwick was ordered to stay behind bars until his trial after he allegedly asked an off-duty, undercover FBI agent in Puerto Rico about buying a boat that could take him to South America for $380,000 in cash.
Ludwick, the co-founder and head of BlackHouse Development, is best known for developing the Hotel Americano in Chelsea in 2011. He has previously faced charges of assault and battery, stalking, criminal mischief and aggravated harassment.
Pre-trial hearings for the case are expected to be scheduled March 22, according to the website.[27East] — Miriam Hall