Sharif el-Gamal is the CEO and president of SoHo Properties which paid for the GZM building with nearly $5 million in cash. The link above is to their password protected website. So, where did this savory character get all that money especially since we have learned they have not paid the property taxes this year, at all? Another partnership set up by Sharif is called 45 Park Place Partners. There is also 45 Park Place LH, LLC, too. I think these partnerships were set up specifically for the GZM project, but am not 100% sure. They both have the same address as SoHo Properties.
In recent days information about e-Gamal has surfaces you may want to review. I'll try to keep it updated, too.
- June: GZM mosque developer, Sharif el-Gamal: "the House" to hold 1,000 for prayer at Jumat! Islamic Finder It states their goal is for a full-fledged Islamic Center.
- Fox5 New York investigative report on GZM developer Sharif el-Gamal
- GZM mossque developer Sharif El-Gamal has a history of run-ins w/ the law New York Daily "Years before his latest real-estate project ignited an uproar, Sharif El-Gamal racked up at least seven run-ins with the law, including a bust for patronizing a prostitute.
- Ground Zero mosque developers owe $224000 in back property taxes ...
- Rift Imperils Ground Zero Mosque:
"...Court records from Florida to New York state reveal that Sharif and his younger brother, Samir "Sammy" El-Gamal, 35, a partner with him in his company SoHo Properties, both have a history replete with intersections with tax and debt issues, dating back to at least 1994 and continuing into this year. In one instance, Sharif told a court he didn't hit a tenant from whom his brother and he were trying to collect back rent. He said to police, the tenant's "face could have run into my hand."
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Major investor of SoHo Properties, Hisham Elzanaty, gave $6,000 to HLF, Islamic charity later declared terrorist group. Fox5 New York 9/2/10 video, too. Claims money for orphans - yeah probably for the children of Hamas martys.
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Family that sold GZM site to developer El-Gamal invested with him 4 months later. New York Post 9/7/10
One developer, Kevin Glodek, offered $18 million cash in 2007 but was rejected.
While it isn't clear why the higher offer was turned down, it is evident that after the Pomerantz family accepted El-Gamal's lower offer, several of the family members were eager to do business
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Mosque developer has shoddy building record New York Post 9/7/10
The developer behind the planned Ground Zero mosque already has a lousy record with the city Buildings Department -- racking up $24,650 in fines for safety and construction violations at a Washington Heights apartment building that his firm owns.
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Ground Zero mosque moneyman, Hisham Elzanaty, was sued for fraud by State Farm Insurance - New York Post 9/4/10
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