A brush with the law is not keeping Richie Akiva from doing what he does best: throwing parties.
Earlier this year, the famed nightlife impresario pleaded not guilty to burglary and assault charges after allegedly beating his former pal Michael Morriatti in a Soho home.
Akiva and an alleged accomplice were also accused of threatening Morriatti and making him transfer money via an app, police insiders told us at the time.
Morriatti — a veteran entertainment exec — allegedly suffered a broken nose and injuries to his shoulder and leg, according to sources.
But we hear Akiva’s set to co-host a bash for Paris fashion week today with Lulu Strauss and Esmeralda Louvat.
The former 1OAK co-owner has strenuously denied the allegations against him, and he didn’t get back to us when we reached out about the swanky bash.
A rep told us at the time of his arrest: “Richie fully welcomes and supports a thorough investigation into this matter and is confident that the full truth will prevail.”
Akiva alleged at the time that Morriatti had wronged him in some way.
But Morriatti told us Akiva wasn’t telling the truth about that when we contacted Morriatti about Akiva’s allegations.
Akiva is famously pals with Leo DiCaprio and has often hosted the likes of Jay-Z and Rihanna at his spots, including Up & Down and various glamorous bashes in the Hamptons and exotic locales in Europe.
And whatever his status is as far as the Manhattan DA is concerned, the party world still needs him!
“At the end of the day there’s not many people in hospitality that can pick up the phone and call Rihanna or Jay-Z — everyone will pick up his call,” a nightlife insider who knows Akiva well recently told Page Six.
Meanwhile, Akiva pleaded not guilty to burglary and assault charges and was released on a $50,000 bail. He denied the allegations to Page Six and his rep told us, “Richie fully welcomes and supports a thorough investigation into this matter and is confident that the full truth will prevail.”
In the meantime, find him partying with the stars in Paris – and there’s no shortage of them. Kate Moss, Evan Ross, Charlize Theron, MacCaulay Culkin, Willow Smith and Pharrell are just a handful of celebs, who are there attending the shows. Akiva did not get back to us when we reached out for comment.
Read the full article here
