A New York City wine shop, Sherry-Lehmann, has filed a peculiar lawsuit against its former owner and well-known journalist James B. Stewart, stemming from a significant explosion two years ago.
The current owner of the now-closed Vintner, which shuttered its Park Avenue location in March 2023, accuses Stewart, a New York Times columnist, of collaborating with the previous owner to orchestrate a “press smear campaign” aimed at gaining financial and personal benefits.
Stewart, who gained fame from his book The Thieves’ Den detailing the 1991 Michael Milken insider trading scandal, is cited in the lawsuit. It alleges that he, along with three other former owners, created a series of misleading articles in various publications, including The New York Post.
According to the complaint filed in Manhattan Federal Court on May 27, the current owners assert that the former ownership engaged in corrupt practices and influenced misleading media narratives.
A spokesperson for The New York Times dismissed these claims, stating that they lack merit and the paper intends to defend itself vigorously against the lawsuit. Meanwhile, a representative for The New York Post called the allegations “ridiculous,” highlighting a fundamental misunderstanding of journalistic practices.
There are also claims that Peter Hellman, a reporter for Wine Spectator, was involved with Stewart in this supposed conspiracy.
The lawsuit details an incident where a person allegedly impersonated an HVAC technician at Sherry-Lehmann’s temperature-controlled wine storage facility in Pearl River, New York, before being escorted out. It goes on to allege that Stewart posed as a customer to gather information for his article, even suggesting that it might lead to a Pulitzer Prize.
Notably, Stewart won the Pulitzer in 1987 for his coverage of the stock market crash during his time at the Wall Street Journal.
However, a source close to the lawsuit indicated that Stewart and the impersonator had never met, and both Stewart and the co-owners have chosen not to comment on the ongoing legal matters.
The lawsuit, brought forth by owners Chris Green and Shyda Gilmer, claims they missed a significant $20 million merger opportunity with a major French vineyard due to negative press, which purportedly stemmed from the former owner’s desire to extend operational control.
In a concerning turn of events, the FBI conducted raids on the Park Avenue store in July 2023. Gilmer and Green argue that they took over a business already deep in financial trouble, claiming responsibility for prior management’s missteps.
The lawsuit argues a coordinated effort among certain parties to damage the reputation of Sherry-Lehmann and disrupt its operations, pointing to statements made in a New York Times article discussing illegal sales of customer wines, which Sherry-Lehmann has denied.
The shop’s closure came two months before the state liquor authority levied a cease-and-desist order for failing to renew its liquor license.
Sherry-Lehmann has reportedly struggled for years, facing debts and allegations of unpaid dues to landlords and vendors, while customers have been left frustrated over the unavailability of their purchased wines. The previous ownership, including Michael Aaron, has faced scrutiny and legal action from multiple parties, including the shop’s landlord.
The store has remained closed since March 2023, with the former owners asserting they have distanced themselves from the business in court documents.
Recent events have further compounded the shop’s troubles, with multiple raids and investigations damaging its already fragile reputation, prompting owners to seek accountability through their lawsuit.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed that the investigation surrounding Sherry-Lehmann is ongoing.
