Business

Trump Cheered Patriots to Super Bowl Victory with Founder of Spa Where Kraft was Charged in Sex-Trafficking Case

Published

6 years ago

March 10, 2019

MIAMI – Asian Spa owner, who joined the US president Donald Trump’s Super Bowl watch party at his West Palm Beach country club in February is implicated in a sex trafficking case. His team New England Patriots played the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta, and Li Yang, the founder and one-time owner of Asian Spa was seen in a blurry selfie with Donald Trump when the latter was sitting in a round-table decorated with paper-cutout footballs. However, after nineteenth days, the Spa owner, Robert Kraft was indicted in a case of soliciting human trafficking case at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in nearby Jupiter, which was founded by Li Yang more than a decade earlier.

According to authorities, Kraft visited the spa on January 19 and was caught on cameras paying for oral sex while having an erotic massage (Erotische Massage Wien). After that, he flew to Kansas City, where his team was playing that night in the AFC Championship game. However, Kraft has denied the charged framed against him and sent the arraignment for March 28 in West Palm Beach.

On the other hand, Yang was not charged in the multiagency anti-human trafficking operation in which 25 people were sent behind bars. Also, about 10 Asian day spas in South Florida were shut down. The non-involvement of Yang, in this case, is due to the fact that he sold Jupiter Spa to Hua Zhang in 2013. None of the spas are registered to Yang or his family’s name. Zhang was charged with running sex rackets at his spas but he was simply denied all the charges well as allegations against him.

Yang’s family has on its name several Florida spas and it’s Tokyo Day Spa branches have attracted the attention of at least two police agencies. In a phone interview with police, Yang has admitted that she and her family have not broken the law. She said she is out of the business and would come to Washington. Also, she requested the media not to show any negative things about her family in order to avoid negative media attention.

Yang didn’t take part in voting for the last 10 years until 2016 but she has become a fixture at Republican political events on the East Coast. She had been seen with Donald Trump, his family members and other Republican personalities on many occasions. Records since 2007 show that Yang has donated more than $42,000 to Trump’s victory. But Yang has declined all the claims about knowing Donald Trump personally. She also called coming to his events as a normal thing and denied any link with Donald Trump on political grounds.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

7 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.