Last week, as he promoted his new memoir at a bookstore in New York City, Jean Pressman, who is linked to the now-defunct Barneys Luxury Empire, found himself facing a shocking tax lawsuit filed by his estranged brother.
The 74-year-old, promoting his book titled “They All Come to Barneys: The Personal History of the World’s Best Shops,” was in the middle of a signing event when an unexpected turn of events unfolded.
Reportedly, a process server—individuals specifically tasked with delivering legal documents—purchased copies of Jean’s book. Instead of simply having the book signed, as planned, he found himself stepping into a legal confrontation.
This lawsuit, initiated by his 71-year-old brother Bob Pressman, accused Jean, along with their sisters and late mother, of being involved in a complex tax fraud scheme allegedly costing New York State $20 million, as outlined by the Post.
According to eyewitnesses at the event, Jean was taken aback by the turn of events, reacting with anger. “He was screaming and cursing at him,” one source recounted, noting how surprised he was by the unexpected confrontation.
Randall Fox, Bob’s attorney, confirmed that Jean was indeed irate when the lawsuit surfaced but declined to provide further details about the case.
Fox added that Jean now has 20 days to respond, a usual procedure following such filings.
On a related note, Jean and Bob’s sisters, Elizabeth and Nancy, who also live in the New York area, are already involved in this legal situation.
Jean, currently residing in West Palm Beach, Florida, didn’t respond to messages seeking his take on the lawsuit. Bob, for his part, also chose not to comment.
This lawsuit became public knowledge after a judge unsealed it in June. It claims that family members are liable for more than $50 million in back taxes and penalties.
The complaint, made in New York’s Supreme Court, designates Bob as a whistleblower under the state’s False Claims Act, having originally filed the complaint back in July 2024.
The lawsuit alleges that the family misrepresented their mother’s residence to evade property taxes, asserting that she lived in Florida to escape tax payments when, in truth, she spent her final years in Southampton, New York.
Phyllis Pressman, the widow of iconic retail figure Fred Pressman, passed away last year at 95, leaving an estate valued at around $100 million to her youngest son, Bob, according to the lawsuit.
Her assets reportedly include a prime oceanfront property in Southampton, currently listed for $38.5 million, along with a stylish Upper East Side apartment that is under contract for $3.95 million.
Bob and Jean’s professional relationship soured after the family sold its shares in Bernie’s more than 25 years ago. They had previously worked together in 1996 during a period marked by aggressive expansion and subsequent bankruptcy filings.
Notably, Bob had previously attempted to write a manuscript that criticized the family, but sources indicate that it was never completed.
Back then, Bob allegedly claimed Jean was mismanaging their family’s finances, contrasting with a lifestyle that included frequenting Studio 54 during the ‘80s.
Jean, meanwhile, has accused Bob of being dishonest, asserting he should take responsibility for the family business’s financial issues.
Insider sources reveal that Bob may have been excluded from his mother’s will due to ongoing disputes and refusal to engage in the alleged fraudulent activity. A trust agreement indicated that Bob “won’t get anything for reasons he knows well,” according to a source close to the situation.
Their sisters had previously sued Bob after the 1996 bankruptcy, claiming he had cheated them out of $30 million, a charge he denied. A New York judge eventually awarded them $11.3 million in 2002, but Bob contested that decision.
