WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum has filed a lawsuit against high-end interior designer Remi Tessier, alleging fraudulent practices in art acquisitions that have now drawn two of New York's most prestigious galleries into the legal proceedings. The billionaire tech entrepreneur claims Tessier inflated prices and misrepresented luxury goods, including several valuable artworks, purchased on his behalf for multiple high-profile projects.
Koum hired Tessier as the lead designer for nine major projects spanning the United States and Europe, including multiple luxury residences and two superyachts. According to court filings, Tessier served as an agent responsible for procuring furnishings and artwork worth tens of millions of dollars for these ambitious undertakings. Tessier's elite clientele includes other billionaire art collectors such as Oracle founder Larry Ellison and hedge fund magnate Ken Griffin.
The lawsuit details three specific art transactions that Koum alleges involved improper financial arrangements. These include a $7.8 million Picasso painting for which Tessier allegedly received a $600,000 kickback, two additional paintings totaling $6 million with an associated $637,000 kickback, and a $600,000 artwork where Tessier purportedly secured a discount but failed to pass the savings along to Koum.
Last week, the Southern District of New York court revealed the identities of the three art galleries involved in these disputed transactions: Acquavella Galleries, Nahmad Contemporary, and New York Gallery LLC. The latter appears to be an entity registered at the same address as Perrotin's New York gallery, though the specific gallery has not confirmed its involvement. Court documents do not specify which gallery corresponded to which particular transaction.
Koum's legal team successfully obtained a discovery order on Friday, compelling the galleries to provide records, invoices, and testimony related to the disputed art transactions. The billionaire hopes these documents will help establish the true terms of sale for the artworks, as well as reveal any undisclosed commissions, discounts, and actual purchase prices that may have been concealed during the acquisition process.
Interestingly, Koum stated that the discovery process is not intended for a case in the United States, but rather to support a criminal complaint he plans to file against Tessier in France, where the designer currently resides. This international aspect adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate legal proceedings.
In his legal filings, Koum was careful to avoid suggesting any wrongdoing on the part of the galleries themselves. The documents state that Koum has "no reason to suspect these Merchants of any wrongdoing" and believes that "like himself, the Merchants have been unwillingly and perhaps unknowingly drawn into Tessier's unlawful schemes." The filing emphasizes Koum's desire to obtain documentation and testimony "free from Tessier's influence, obfuscation, and obstruction."
Koum's attorney, Orin Snyder of Gibson Dunn, told the New York Post that the case is motivated by principles rather than financial gain. "This has never been about personal gain," Snyder explained. "Jan has pledged to donate any recovery to charity in France. This is about protecting others." Koum himself stated in the filing that his goal was "justice and accountability" and "holding Tessier accountable for his deceitful pattern."
The discovery order also extends beyond the art world to include several high-end furniture dealers from which Tessier facilitated purchases on Koum's behalf. These include Hudson Furniture, Babou, and B&B Italia, indicating the broad scope of the alleged fraudulent activities across the luxury goods market.
Acquavella Galleries declined to provide comment when contacted about the case. Representatives from Nahmad Contemporary, New York Gallery LLC, and Remi Tessier could not be reached for comment by press time, leaving many questions unanswered about their potential involvement in or knowledge of the alleged scheme.
