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Financially-strapped real estate developer Mohamed Hadid — the celebrity dad of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid — claimed he’s the “victim” of a predatory lender after filing for bankruptcy over a prized California property, The Post has learned.

Hadid, who made cameo appearances on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” when it featured his ex-wife Yolanda Hadid, has been locked in a nasty legal battle with real estate mogul Zach Vella — a fellow reality TV alum of Bravos Million Dollar Listing.”

Their knock-down, drag-out dispute stems from a $31 million loan Vella’s company Skylark Capital gave Hadid’s Tree Lane LLC in 2018 to develop a four-acre lot in an exclusive Beverly Hills enclave that counts Hollywood stars Ashton Kutcher and his wife, Mila Kunis, as residents.

Last month, the 74-year-old Hadid — a Palestinian born in the Israeli city of Nazareth and an outspoken critic of the Jewish state — pushed the property into bankruptcy. It’s the fifth such filing in less than five years in Los Angeles to prevent a land grab by Vella, he told The Post in an exclusive interview.

I believe I was a victim and now I have to fight my fight, Hadid said.

They gave us enough money to hang ourselves and then they stopped funding.

Vella, Skylark and its attorney Matthew Lewis did not return repeated calls and emails for comment. 

Vella, who has developed properties in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles, is far from media shy. His 2015 wedding to jewelry designer Michelle Campbell took place at Ashford Castle in Ireland was featured in Wedding Style magazine.

In 2022, he sued Hadid over the pricey plot in Bella Vista Estates at 2451 Summitridge Drive, located next to gated homes that boast expansive living space, gourmet kitchens, and lavish amenities such as custom movie theatres, game rooms, wine cellars, according to real estate firm  RubyHome.

A rendering for the 30,000-square-foot property supplied by Hadid to The Post shows he planned to build a four-level mansion with floor-to-ceiling windows, featuring infinity pools that overlook a private tennis court. The plans also include a spa, home theater and an eight-car garage with a car lift.

However, it remains undeveloped six years after Skylark signed the loan agreement as Hadid suffered several financial setbacks — including a $100 million debacle over a Bel-Air mansion, nicknamed Starship Enterprise, that a judge ordered him to tear down in 2019 before it was completed.

Vella’s lawsuit has accused Hadid of “outright theft” and of being a “fraud.”

It was and is very important to Hadid that he present himself as a wealthy and successful real estate developer and to appear in the public eye as such, Skylark alleged in the lawsuit.

Hadid regularly patronizes well known Beverly Hills restaurants, sitting in a place easily publicly observable and photographable, and surrounds himself with young women whose ages approximate those of his daughters, the complaint said.

Hadid sought bankruptcy protection on April 26 the same day a court hearing was scheduled to appoint an independent receiver for the Summitridge property. 

In a legal filing ahead of a May 29 court hearing, Hadid asked the judge to approve an emergency loan for $7.7 million from a new lender — 364 Capital LLC — who will finance emergency repairs to the property as he vets other lenders to help him finish the project.

Once the property is fully developed it will be worth up to $85 million and the sale will make everyone whole, Hadid claimed in the filing.

The judge has yet to rule on Hadid’s request.

Hadid and Vella’s complicated history began with a meeting initiated by Vella in 2018, Hadid told The Post, at a time when he was desperate for funding to start work on an even more expensive Beverly Hills development at nearby 9650 Cedarbrook Drive.

The two discussed a deal while walking around the 37-acre site, which was later listed at $250 million but was knocked down to just $68 million last September.

According to renderings, the Cedarbrook compound would include a 78,000 square-foot main house with 19 bedrooms, a 36-person home theater, a Turkish bath, a wine cellar with a tasting room, a hot yoga room, staff quarters and a car collectors garage, along with a guest house.

We met across from the Beverly Hills hotel and [Vella] said, lets go to the property Hadid told The Post. 

Vella said I have a lot of money that I want to invest and I said thats music to my ears.’

Shortly after the fateful tour, Vella formed Skylark and drew up two loan commitments, according to court records. Skylark agreed to $92.7 million loan for Cedarbrook for Hadid-owned Treetop Development and $31 million for Summitridge to Tree Lane, according to Hadid and court records. 

But their relationship soon soured. Hadid alleges that Vella approached Kutcher and Kunis with a secret deal to develop the Summitridge parcel shortly after the loan closed.

Vella bought land below and adjacent to Hadids property to build a separate home and then transferred one acre of Summitridges land to his own property, Hadid claimed in court filings.

Hadid said Vella led him to believe that the one-acre parcel would be part of a subdivision that the two would develop together, increasing the value of the entire project, according to court documents.

Instead, Vella reached out to two neighbors who had certain easement rights and offered to partner with the neighbors to take over and develop” the property, Hadid alleged in the complaint a couple of years ago.

Those neighbors were Kutcher and Kunis, more recent court filings reveal.

The Post reached out to the couple for comment, but a representative did not return a call and email.

A distressed asset expert said Vellas alleged move could raise eyebrows in court.

A judge might see that as strange, Adam Stein-Sapir told The Post

 Its not typical lender behavior and it could sound like a lender with ulterior motives.

Hadid said he has only received $21.4 million of the $31 million loan, according to court filings. Of that amount, more than $13 million went toward fees and paying off Hadids debts, court records show.

He claimed in court filings that Skylarks goal all along was to force him into foreclosure in a loan-to-own scheme by not disbursing funds to Tree Lane in a timely manner.  

I was too anxious to get these projects going [and] didnt really ask where he was getting money from, Hadid told The Post. 

He was trying to take advantage of my demise, Hadid said of Vella.

The Cedarbrook property has also languished with excavations made for the foundations. Vella sued Hadid for defaulting on the loan on Cedarbrook in 2021, leading Hadid to file for bankruptcy protection on that property in 2022.

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The two settled that legal dispute on April 4 to expedite a sale of Cedarbrook, but the bankruptcy case is still pending.

Hadid pushed another property into bankruptcy in 2019 after the Bel-Air disaster.

The monstrous mansionat 901 Strada Vecchia Road was deemed a clear and present danger to the homes below it because Hadid violated building codes.

He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years probation.

His other bankruptcy filings were in 2021 over projects near Santa Monica, Calif.

The five bankruptcies in such a short span of time is hard to reconcile, no matter the circumstances, experts said.

One o the jobs of a developer is picking lenders and contractors, Stein-Sapir said. In this situation, Vella didnt turn out to be a good lender for him and whether Vella screwed him or not, Hadid did sign on the dotted line.

Hadid made headlines in April for a homophobic rant aimed at Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) over his support of Israel. 

You worse than the rats of New York sewage system. They have bigger brains than you. You might get a job as bouncer at gay bar, Hadid wrote.

He later apologized. 

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From $189 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in November [Updated]

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From $189 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in November [Updated]

We’re now two months out from the end of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit on September 30, and there are still solid deals to be had on some pretty spiffy EVs. In fact, three of our top five November specials are cheaper than what was offered in September, and two come with home EV chargers and free installation. Here are November’s top 5 EV lease deals, as spotted by our friends at CarsDirect.

Hyundai-EV-IONIQ-5
Photo: Hyundai

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 lease from $189/month

The updated 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range is still a standout EV lease deal, holding steady even after the end of the federal EV tax credit and new import tariffs. Through December 1, you can lease one for $189 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing. That works out to an effective monthly cost of about $300.

The price bump is far smaller than many expected, especially considering Hyundai’s $17,000 in lease cash. And if you’re tempted by an upgrade, the SEL RWD trim is just $50 more per month under the same terms. You’ll get a model that’s roughly $7,000 more in value and $18,750 in savings. The IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range offers an EPA-estimated 245 miles of range, and this particular offer is available in the Los Angeles and greater California metro areas.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in stock. –trusted affiliate link

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 lease from $189/month

The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 SE RWD Standard Range is tied with the IONIQ 5 for the most affordable EV lease deal this month, offering standout value even after the federal EV tax credit era. In the California metro area, you can lease it for $189 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing, and Hyundai is sweetening the deal with $13,000 in lease cash.

That brings the effective monthly cost to around $300. With an EPA-estimated 240 miles of range, 149 horsepower, fast-charging capabilities, and a sleek, distinctive design, the IONIQ 6 remains a fan favorite. This offer is valid through December 1.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Hyundai IONIQ 6 in stock. –trusted affiliate link

Ford Mustang Mach-E
Photo: Ford

2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E from $219/month

The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD with Package 100A is offering bigger savings this month, making it an even stronger pick for EV shoppers. Known for its premium design and an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range, the Mach-E remains a favorite among drivers who want style and substance.

You can now lease it for $219 per month for 24 months (10,500 miles per year), with a down payment of $4,499 due at signing. That’s $20 less per month than the September advertised deal, although the term is shorter. With an effective monthly cost of around $406, it’s only $45 more than before the tax credit ended.

The offer includes $6,750 in lease cash for qualified lessees, plus a free Ford Charging Station Pro with complimentary home installation – a rare perk. If you already have a home charger, you can opt for an additional $2,000 in bonus cash instead. This deal is currently available in California through January 5, 2026.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Ford Mustang Mach-E in stock. –trusted affiliate link

Honda-Prologue-EV
Photo: Honda

2025 Honda Prologue from $239/month

Until January 5, the 2025 Honda Prologue, with a 308-mile range, can be leased for $239 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles) and $1,199 due at signing in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland. That means the Prologue has an effective monthly cost of $272, making it a great value.

For those in California and other CARB-emission states, you can lease for $279 for 36 months (10,000 miles) and $1,299 due at signing, resulting in an effective monthly cost of $315. This was the best-priced lease deal before the new East Coast three-state offer.

The price includes a $3,300 loyalty discount or conquest cash, available only to those currently leasing a Honda or planning to switch from another manufacturer in select states. If you aren’t living in California, Florida, New York, or other select states, you’re still eligible for a bonus of $2,000.

These bonuses are stackable with the $5,000 dealer cash, $8,250 Honda lease cash, and a $1,500 additional lease bonus, which replaces the $7,500 tax credit.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Honda Prologue in stock. –trusted affiliate link

Ford-F-150-lightning-XLT
Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Source: Ford

2025 Ford F-150 Lightning from $279/month

You can now lease a 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning 4×4 Super Crew XLT w/ Pkg 311A for a low monthly payment of $279 for 36 months (10,500 miles) and $6,729 due at signing. With an MSRP of $65,190, that makes the effective monthly cost of $466. It has an EPA-estimated range of 240 miles and 452 hp.

That’s $23 less a month than the advertised September lease deal with the federal tax credit. The offer includes $9,500 in lease cash and, like the Mach-e, a complimentary home EV charger and installation or an additional $2,000 in savings. This offer is available in California through January 5, 2026.

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Ford F-150 Lightning in stock. –trusted affiliate link


The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Hyundai gave its new fuel cell EV some serious upgrades, but is it enough?

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Hyundai gave its new fuel cell EV some serious upgrades, but is it enough?

The new Nexo is a significant upgrade over the first model, but will Hyundai’s fuel cell EV make an impression in the US?

Meet the new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV

Hyundai is launching a slate of new vehicles, ranging from EVs to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and even fuel-cell electric vehicles.

First launched in 2018, the Nexo marked a milestone as Hyundai’s first dedicated hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Although it wasn’t exactly a hit due to the lack of hydrogen fueling stations, especially in the US, Hyundai is taking another crack at the market with its new and improved fuel cell EV.

Hyundai introduced the new Nexo earlier this year, claiming it’s “poised to set a new standard for zero-emission transportation.”

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With significant upgrades to its fuel cell and power electronics systems, the new Nexo features up to 190 kW total output and a WLTP driving range of up to 513 miles (826 km) from a five-minute hydrogen refill.

Hyundai-new-fuel-cell-EV
The new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV (Source: Hyundai)

It also boasts features such as Active Noise Control, road-noise-canceling tech, sound-absorbing tires, e-Handling, and a Smart Regenerative System (SRS), which delivers a smooth, quiet ride.

Inside, Hyundai’s new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) sits at the center, featuring dual 12.3″ driver cluster and infotainment screens. The setup includes OTA updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Hyundai-new-fuel-cell-EV-interior
The interior of the new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV (Source: Hyundai)

Like its battery electric vehicles, the new Nexo offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, enabling you to power electronics on the go.

A digital center mirror and digital side mirrors are available in select markets (not the US), replacing the traditional mirrors. In addition, the European-spec version can tow up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), the first fuel cell EV to offer that level of capability.

The Nexo is 4,750 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,640 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 4,750 mm, or about the size of a Honda CR-V.

Hyundai-new-fuel-cell-EV
The new Hyundai Nexo fuel cell EV (Source: Hyundai)

Although Hyundai is committed to expanding FCEV infrastructure, it might not be enough to lure buyers in the US.

Hyundai said the new Nexo fuel cell EV is already a hit in South Korea, where hydrogen fueling stations far outnumber those in the US. The company sold nearly 7,000 new Nexo models globally through August, more than four times the previous generation’s sales in the same period last year.

Will the new and improved Nexo make a bigger impact? According to Car and Driver, which test drove the updated FCEV, “the compact Nexo will need far more than clever engineering to make it big in the US.” In Hyundai’s home market, it’s already proving more popular.

Hyundai will launch the new fuel cell EV in other global markets starting in early 2026.

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Senate approves funding bill to reopen US gov’t, awaits vote in House

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Senate approves funding bill to reopen US gov’t, awaits vote in House

The US government is moving closer to reopening after more than 40 days of being shut down, following several Democratic lawmakers in the Senate siding with Republicans to pass a funding bill.

On Monday, the US Senate held a late-night vote for a bill “continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2026,” which passed 60 to 40 in the chamber. The bill is expected to fund the government through Jan. 31, 2026, provided it passes in the House of Representatives and is signed into law by President Donald Trump.

As Tuesday is a US federal holiday, the House is not expected to reconvene to vote on the bill until Wednesday at the earliest. Prediction platform Polymarket has already adjusted its expectation that the US government will return to normal operations on Friday, likely following the passage of the House bill.

Source: Polymarket

Amid the government shutdown — the longest in the country’s history — many federal agencies have furloughed staff and reduced operations to align with the lack of funding.

Even if the bill were to immediately pass and be signed into law, it will likely take some time before staff can return to work. The operations plan at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), for example, will allow employees to come back on the “next regularly scheduled workday following enactment of appropriations legislation.”

Related: China raises alarm over alleged US role in one of the largest Bitcoin hacks

Digital asset market structure negotiations proceeding

On Monday, the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee released a discussion draft of a comprehensive bill on crypto market structure. The draft followed weeks of reported negotiations between Democratic and Republican lawmakers, about four months after the House passed its version of the legislation.