A New York real estate agent accused of biting a young girl during a dispute over a complimentary t-shirt at a concert in the Hamptons attempted to conceal her identity as she exited her initial court hearing.
Gail Bomze, 75, was arrested after allegedly biting and wounding a seven-year-old girl in a beach scrum over a t-shirt on August 12.
The luxury Manhattan real estate agent obscured her face with a hat and dark sunglasses while being arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice court on two misdemeanor charges on Wednesday.
When Justice Steven Tekulsky would ask Bomze a question, she would only answer, quietly, with either ‘Yes, sir’ or ‘No sir.’
One of Bomze’s attorneys, Luigi Belcastro from the firm McGuire, Pelaez, Bennett & Belcastro, entered not guilty pleas on her behalf for the charges of assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Belcastro would not comment before or afterwards other than to say his office is just now receiving the prosecution’s investigative data.
Christen Heine, the case prosecutor, mentioned that the investigation of the incident, which occurred during a Tuesday afternoon beach concert at Main Beach in exclusive East Hampton Village, was still ongoing.
One issue that was not broached during the brief arraignment in front of Justice Tekulsky was the question of communicable disease from bites.
Gail Bomze (pictured), 75, covered her face as she left the East Hampton Justice Town Court on Wednesday after being arraigned on assault charges
The luxury real estate agent is accused of biting a young girl during a fight over a free t-shirt at a concert in the Hamptons
Dog bites and human bites are similar in one respect, East Hampton Village Detective Sgt. Jennifer Dunn explained Tuesday, talking about the case.
It needs to be established if the alleged bite, which reportedly caused a bleeding wound, can transmit any diseases through contact.
It is important, Dunn said, to provide for the family of the alleged victim ‘medical information to prove they have nothing to worry about.’
Tekulsky issued a complete stay-away order of protection for the seven-year-old girl involved, who lives in Manhattan, according to the police.
The judge highlighted that Bomze does not know the victim but cautioned that should she encounter her, Bomze must immediately disengage, as stipulated by the restraining order, to avoid possible arrest for a new criminal contempt charge.
Tekulsky also noted that Bomze had returned to court as scheduled and ordered her release to be an unconditional one, as long as Bomze promised to return to court when required
Bomze’s next court date, October 16, is a virtual one, for the attorneys to conference, without Bomze present.
According to an arrest report seen by Daily Mail, the girl’s parents told officers the attack unfolded when the seven-year-old tried to grab a t-shirt that was thrown from a balcony into the crowd of revelers below.
East Hampton Village Police said Bomze lashed out and grabbed the girl’s arm, biting it so hard it was left swollen and bloodied.
Her lawyer entered the plea for her, and when the judge would ask Bomze a question, she would answer, quietly, either ‘Yes, sir’ or ‘No sir’
The girl’s parents told officers she was trying to grab a t-shirt thrown from a balcony at the Main Beach concert series (seen here) when Bomze attacked
Bomze has been behind the sales of some of New York City’s most exclusive homes including a townhouse on Park Avenue which sold for a staggering $21.8 million
An event employee told officers the 75-year-old was actively ‘kicking and punching kids.’
The concert series is run by the East Hampton Village Foundation, with CEO Bradford Billet saying the organization ‘strongly condemn this alleged, isolated incident.’
Bomze has been behind the sales of some of New York City’s most exclusive homes including a townhouse on Park Avenue which sold for a staggering $21.8 million.
Her real estate site also lists dozens of other properties that sold for eyewatering figures over the years.
According to Page Six, Bomze is also a well-known figure in the Upper East Side of Manhattan social scene.
The outlet reported that she has previously donated to the Central Park Conservancy and appeared in the social diary at a party honoring artist Julian Schnabel.
