The New York Times recently reported on a legal dispute involving Ashwin Deshmukh, a figure well-known in downtown tech and culture circles. Ms. Kwan filed suits against Mr. Deshmukh on Feb. 1 and 2, but on March 8, he agreed to be served after a fact-checking inquiry from The Times. Just five days later, the parties settled and Ms. Kwan dropped the suits.
Sheryl Heefner, the general manager of Superiority Burger, praised Mr. Deshmukh in a statement, highlighting his critical role in the development of the popular establishment. Despite not being a household name, Mr. Deshmukh is recognized by many in the New York culture industry, including tech investors, restaurateurs, journalists, and influencers.
While many describe Mr. Deshmukh as intelligent, funny, and kind, there is a group of individuals who accuse him of being a thief. In response to questions, Mr. Deshmukh disputed aspects of the story without providing further detail.
One individual, Ben Carlos Thypin, met Mr. Deshmukh in 2012 and initially found him to be smart and knowledgeable. Mr. Thypin, a real estate broker and political player, co-founded Open New York, a prominent pro-housing group. The legal dispute and allegations surrounding Mr. Deshmukh have sparked interest and intrigue within New York’s cultural circles.
