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WHET Jeffrey Rackover

Jeffrey Rackover, a famed New York jeweler to the stars, took James Rackover under his wing, supporting him like a father would. On November 13, 2016, James threw a party in his Manhattan apartment, where 26-year-old Joseph “Joey” Comunale came as a guest. That night, Comunale was stabbed repeatedly and later burned and buried in a shallow grave across the river in New Jersey. James Rackover and his accomplice, Lawrence Dilione, were soon arrested, sending shockwaves through the Upper East Side. In 2018, James was convicted of second-degree murder and related charges, receiving a sentence of 28 years to life.

Amid the fallout, Comunale’s father sued Jeffrey Rackover, claiming he aided in covering up the crime with cleaning supplies, a car, and other alleged interference. Rackover denied all accusations, insisting he had no involvement in the murder or its aftermath. As of the latest reports, the civil lawsuit remains unresolved, and there is no record of any settlement being paid. Meanwhile, James Rackover’s conviction was affirmed on appeal in 2025, leaving his sentence intact. Jeffrey Rackover continues his life and career as a jeweler, publicly active and uncharged, despite the shadows cast by one of Manhattan’s most notorious crimes.

Glad Jeffrey's GAY for PAY adopted son lost his appeal and will rot away longer now. Any word if Jeffie is a DL poster? It wouldn't surprise me at all.

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by Anonymousreply 11October 8, 2025 12:31 AM

Even after reading a couple of lengthy articles on this subject, it was never clear to me why this situation had escalated into assault and then stabbing of Joey.

by Anonymousreply 1October 7, 2025 3:09 PM

[quote] Jeffrey’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, had a different take on the status of their relationship: “The truth is that Jeff treated James as his son and accordingly was gravely disappointed by the drug-fueled, violent, and senseless behavior that James was convicted of. Their relationship is over. Period.”

Some 'father figure' he turned out to be! He becomes a 'father' to a troubled, fatherless young man -- from Florida(!) -- with multiple arrests but then turns his back on him because he behaved liked a troubled, fatherless kid from Florida with multiple arrests. He sounds more like a 'Daddy' than a father.

by Anonymousreply 2October 7, 2025 5:33 PM

Any word if OP is a graduate of the Sheboygan Conservatory of True Crime Purple Prose? Wouldn't surprise me at all!

by Anonymousreply 3October 7, 2025 5:50 PM

He thought he had found his soulmate, but I guess he was wrong.

by Anonymousreply 4October 7, 2025 7:00 PM

The two killers had a history of beating up strangers, r1. I think we can assume they were in a volatile mood after doing cocaine all night, the wrong thing was said they killed someone. I thought those VF articles were interesting but the reason for the murder never felt that mysterious to me.

I'd like to know what sexual services the hot younger guy sold to rich older guy. Did he fuck the old guy or just offer up his dick to be sucked?

by Anonymousreply 5October 7, 2025 10:56 PM

R5 I get that the two killers were most definitely in a sexual relationship arrangement of sorts. He was the rich sugar daddy that paid for the apartment and supported him. And they were both not just habitual drug abusers but also psychopaths. I think it's likely that they expected the victim to submit to some sexual act in exchange for parting along with them and partaking in their alcohol and drug escapades. He declined because it wasn't his scene, it probably escalated into a heated dispute, and they started assaulting him.

by Anonymousreply 6October 7, 2025 11:12 PM

Rackover was just a Good Samaritan adopting a nice young lad, the way I did

by Anonymousreply 7October 7, 2025 11:29 PM

This whole story is what the word "trade" was set up for.......I can't imagine having someone buy me a fancy condo yet killing someone over smokes/cocaine.........Old guy let him pretty much do his thing till he called

by Anonymousreply 8October 8, 2025 12:10 AM

Isn’t RENTMEN.com the more practical option? You could spend a few grand a month for a variety of attractive men, without the need to buy anyone a condo or hand out an allowance. “Daddy” Jeffrey Rackover seemed to have been using his so-called beloved son to work different angles in the Diamond District, all in the name of growing his business. Jeff, if you’re reading this, perhaps you can tell us how long it took you to get back to South Beach to “adopt” your next son — and whether he’s as tough a piece of trade as your now-incarcerated protégé. Meanwhile, let’s not forget that a man lost his life and was brutally dismembered in dumped in New Jersey as a result of your twisted father-and-son arrangement.

by Anonymousreply 9October 8, 2025 12:26 AM

Micah Plath would be a nicer boy to purchase a condo for....just saying

by Anonymousreply 10October 8, 2025 12:26 AM

r9, I can recommend a few "sons" in Miami

by Anonymousreply 11October 8, 2025 12:31 AM
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