The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
Well-Known Jeweler Helped Cover Up Murder, Lawsuit Says
Jeffrey Rackover, a “jeweler to the stars” who operates out of New York’s Diamond District, is facing a civil suit for his alleged connection to a Manhattan murder.
Filed Sunday in New York Supreme Court by Patsy Comunale, the father of the victim, the suit seeks unspecified damages against Jeffrey Rackover, 57, for allegedly aiding 26-year-old James Rackover--who has been publicly referred to both as Jeffrey’s adopted son and as a man with whom he had a romantic relationship and supported financially--following the murder of Joseph Comunale.
Jeffrey Rackover operates a business in New York’s Diamond District and has gained a reputation as a “jeweler to the stars,” with a list of past clients that includes Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez and journalist Katie Couric. In 2004, People magazine wrote about Rackover, who at the time was the vice president of Graff Diamonds, designing an engagement ring for a famous bride-to-be--Melania Trump.
On Friday morning, Jeffrey Rackover’s attorney, John J. Rosenberg, issued the following statement on behalf of his client: “It is difficult to imagine the pain that Mr. Comunale must be experiencing, but the fact is that Jeffrey Rackover had absolutely nothing to do with these tragic events. Mr. Rackover has no desire to litigate this matter in the press and he looks forward to his total vindication when the actual facts are revealed during the course of the court proceedings.”
The crime at the center of the civil case against him took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016.
According to the New York District Attorney’s Office, the 26-year-old Comunale, of Stamford, Connecticut, was repeatedly stabbed inside James Rackover’s Manhattan apartment following a party that also was attended by 28-year-old Lawrence Dilione and Max Gemma, 29.
At about 9:45 p.m. that night, the DA’s office says that James Rackover and Dilione drove Comunale’s body, which also had been burned, from Manhattan to Oceanport, New Jersey, where they buried it in a shallow ditch.
Comunale’s body was discovered by police three days later.
James Rackover--who was born James Beaudoin but legally changed his name to Rackover after meeting Jeffrey--and Dilione were indicted in May on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. The two men, along with Gemma, also face one count each of hindering prosecution and evidence tampering.
Jeffrey Rackover has not been charged in the case and publicly disavowed James Rackover shortly after his arrest.
Through his spokesperson Bo Dietl, a former NYPD detective who’s also running for mayor of New York City, Jeffrey Rackover also issued a public statement confirming that he did go into James’s apartment on the Sunday morning the murder took place to walk his dog but “had not noticed anything wrong,” the lawsuit states.
However, the lawsuit counters that the apartment smelled like cleaning chemicals and “the stench of death” and “was in disarray” with “blood stains visible in various locations.”
The lawsuit also claims that it was Jeffrey Rackover who gave James Rackover the cleaning supplies used to sanitize the murder scene and allowed James and Dilione to use his black Mercedes-Benz to transport and dispose of Comunale’s body.
There are two causes of action in the civil suit.
The first is violation of the right of sepulcher--the right to choose and control the final disposition of a dead human body, which, the lawsuit claims, Jeffrey Rackover prevented Pat Comunale from doing for his son Joseph by aiding in the cover-up.
The second is intentional infliction of emotional distress.
As mentioned, Jeffrey Rackover does not currently face any criminal charges in the case, though Pat Comunale’s attorney, Robert Abrams, told the Stamford Advocate that he’s confident the civil suit will result in such charges.
The Advocate quoted Abrams as saying: “We’re not going to stop until we’re comfortable and convinced that everybody who was involved in the murder of Joey and the cover-up that followed is held accountable both criminally and civilly.”
The New York District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that it cannot comment regarding potential additional charges in the criminal case, as it is open and pending.
The next scheduled court date is Aug. 1.
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.