Tamir Sapir's Safari at Sea
cityfile · 05/15/09 11:19AMTamir Sapir certainly isn't the first Russian billionaire to be accused of having bad taste, but he might be the first one who has landed in court thanks to his fondness for over-the-top decorations. The real estate tycoon—and former New York City cabbie!—signed a guilty plea in connection an attempt to import 29 items that violated of the Endangered Species Act, including seven carved elephant tusks, a zebra-skin-lined children's bed, and a fully stuffed and mounted lion, pieces he planned to use to decorate his Versace-drenched yacht. He's since agreed to pay $150,000 in fines, but there is some good news to come out of this sad tale of animal exploitation/bad taste. In comparison to his father, we're thinking son Alex Sapir's Maybach—or "rolling office," as he likes to call it—is downright classy! [Luxist, NYP, NYDN]