Nir Meir Bail Hearing Remains a Secret

2 June 2025

Former HFZ Capital Group executive Nir Meir has had a busy month.

He was released April 1 on a $1 million bond after being held in Rikers for a year, only to be put back on Rikers three weeks later with a new attorney.

Despite two hearings, Meir’s recent judge-ordered return to Rikers remains a mystery. And his new attorney, Matthew Galluzzo, along with the presiding Judge, really do not want the press or the public to know what’s going on.

At a hearing Monday morning, Galluzzo initially said he would ask for the courtroom to be closed. The court, however, remained open, but the majority of the hearing could not be heard by anyone sitting in the Lower Manhattan public courthouse. Galluzzo and the assistant District Attorney’s Office, Chris Beard, made their arguments in front of Justice Ann Thompson’s bench.

The conversation lasted less than ten minutes and was inaudible to the rest of the courtroom. The contents of the conversation likely pertained to Meir’s renewed bail application.

It is unclear why the conversation about Meir’s bail is so sensitive. Judge Thompson has still not provided a public explanation for why she ordered Meir back to Rikers with a $5 million cash bail.

At the last court appearance, Judge Thompson cleared the courtroom, sending everyone, including the press and a representative from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, into the hallways for about 15 minutes. Judge Thompson also sealed a transcript from another court hearing for Meir.

After Galluzzo and Beard made their arguments in front of the judge, Meir was walked out in handcuffs.

The former HFZ Capital Group exec has been charged as a mastermind in an $86 million fraud scheme that allegedly involved moving money designated for HFZ Capital’s real estate projects in New York City, including the XI, a twisting condo project off the High Line, and defrauding the city out of $15 million in taxes.

Meir had slicked-back gray hair and appeared slimmer than previous court appearances. This time, Meir wore a green jumpsuit.

Judge Thompson made some brief remarks about the requirement for bail. Thompson said in order to consider another bail application, she needed to hear from the company that monitored Meir’s private electronic device while he was out on bail. Thompson also said she needed to hear from the New York City Sheriff’s office.

(As a prior condition of Meir’s release, he was ordered to wear two ankle monitors, one administered by the bail bonds company and another by the New York City Sheriff).

Thompson said she would not consider a $2 million partially secured bond requested by Meir’s attorney through the court. Thompson would only consider the bond if it went through a bail bonds company.

The discussions ended in short time. Galluzzo declined to comment. Meir walked back into a holding facility, back to the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers Island. The next hearing about the bail application is scheduled for June 9.

Meir was fired from HFZ in late 2020. He spent the next two years battling creditors for loans he personally guaranteed. While in Miami he spent millions on fine wine, gold and strip clubs, and luxury hotel stays. He lived in a $150,000-a-month rental house in Miami Beach, where his ex-wife got sued by the landlord for making illegal renovations.

Meir claimed he was broke and the money came from his ex-wife, Ranee Bartolacci. She alleges she was unaware of Meir’s legal moves and alleges Meir put a $13 million judgment under her name without telling her. She claims she only found out when a friend read about the court case.

Meir filed for personal bankruptcy in February 2024. He was arrested that same month at the 1 Hotel South Beach residences. Meir was extradited to New York City and subsequently held on Rikers. Meir pleaded not guilty.

When arrested, Meir hired attorney Oliver Storch, who was able to get Meir released from Rikers on a reduced $1 million bail earlier this year.

While out on bail, Meir lived in an apartment in New York City with two ankle monitors. But then something happened, likely a violation of bond, and the judge ordered him back to Rikers in May. Judge Thompson set the bail at $5 million in cash and a $7.5 million bond.

Storch and Meir parted ways. Now, Meir is on Rikers for a reason that the judge, Meir’s new attorney and the District Attorney’s office want to keep hidden.