A prominent AI executive took legal action against a respected California firefighter, alleging damage to his $40 million Malibu beachfront property during the installation of a wildfire defense system.
Daniel Nadler, aged 42, who leads OpenEvidence — an AI enterprise supported by Google and likened to “ChatGPT” for medical professionals — initiated the lawsuit on Tuesday morning, only for it to be unexpectedly withdrawn later that day.
Reports suggest the lawsuit will return to court, with accusations that firefighter Robert Milstein accidentally drove a “heavy vehicle” into the luxurious estate’s exterior wall, allegedly decreasing its value by several millions.
This architecturally significant home is distinguished by its rare rammed-earth walls, designed to evoke the appearance of weathered coastal stone.
Milstein, owner of SoCal Fire Supply, was engaged in installing the fireproofing system at Nadler’s residence on October 9, 2025.
A seasoned member of the LA County Fire Community Brigade, Milstein has dedicated two decades to serving the Santa Monica area, earning recognition as a firefighting hero while supporting the LAFD in critical situations.
He helped save the famed Calamigos Ranch during the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire and is credited by locals with defending Big Rock during January’s Palisades Fire, helping evacuate hundreds of residents while saving millions of dollars in property.
The lawsuit alleges Milstein damaged “multiple rammed earth panels, compromising the panels’ exterior façade.”
Nadler claims the wall’s rare composition means “partial repairs will only further the damage and create a patchwork-like blight to a wall that was intended to appear as one continuous, weathered stone.”
But Milstein insists the billionaire is overstating the damage.
Speaking exclusively to The Post, the firefighter said he took “full responsibility” for the accident, explaining he had been rushing to move his truck after “a panicked property manager” warned that Nadler was approaching and needed the driveway cleared.
Milstein said he failed to notice a cabinet door on the truck had been left open, causing it to strike the stone wall as he reversed.
Photos taken afterward appear to show damage to two exterior panels.
“I took full responsibility. I try not to cause any problems for my clients,” Milstein said.
Nadler’s lawsuit also includes an email in which Milstein admitted fault.
“I’m 100% at fault and take full responsibility,” Milstein wrote, adding that he had been in a “rush” and had insurance coverage.
Milstein claims his insurer offered $158,000 to repair the damage because of the unique materials used on the home — but says Nadler demanded at least 20 additional panels be replaced at a cost exceeding $600,000.
“He wanted me to replace panels that were previously damaged,” Milstein claimed.
Now, Milstein says, the billionaire is threatening him with not only the full replacement cost but also the alleged diminished value of the property, which could allegedly run into the “multi-millions.”
Nadler purchased the Malibu estate for $27.1 million in July 2025, though the lawsuit suggests the property may now be worth as much as $40 million.
The legal filing claims the impact “opened an actual gap in the building envelope, creating an immediate and ongoing risk of water intrusion, moisture penetration, mold formation, structural compromise, and accelerated coastal weathering,” allegedly creating safety risks for Nadler and his family.
Milstein, whose clients include Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, said he hired a structural engineer to inspect the damage.
A letter from the engineering firm stated it “appeared highly unlikely that there was any damage to the supporting structural wall or the foundation of the house.”
The beachfront mansion was previously praised by California Home and Design magazine for its “architectural distinction,” particularly the rammed-earth panels that “bring the variegated colors of the sand” into the home’s interior.
The roughly 4,000-square-foot property features a pool, cabana and sweeping ocean views.
According to Forbes, Nadler has an estimated net worth of $7.6 billion.
The Canadian-born entrepreneur previously founded Kensho Technologies, which was acquired by S&P Global in 2018.
In July 2025, Nadler also paid $38.2 million cash for a furnished 6,000-square-foot triplex penthouse at the Four Seasons Residences in Surfside, Florida.
Despite Nadler’s immense wealth, Milstein said he was not intimidated.
“He thinks he’s going to scare me. It’s not legit,” Milstein said.
