It’s no secret that billionaires live differently than the rest of us.
Private jets, private concerts, yachts, Renaissance paintings and, in some cases, even full-time dog nannies.
But one thing we haven’t mentioned is the staff who make this charmed world spin.
Personal chefs, private tutors, a rotating entourage of nannies and housekeepers.
One billionaire went as far as to buy nearly ten homes to house these very types of employees.
Today, Rafaela Siewert is filling in for Lyndsay Keith, and we’re going to South Florida, where Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison purchased eight homes in one neighborhood for his staff.
It set off a battle between him and the homeowners association.
Then, we’re going to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where white supremacist groups have reportedly been leaving fliers in neighborhoods. Police say there’s no evidence of a specific crime, and residents are conducting their own investigation.
Larry Ellison Bought Eight Homes for His Staff. His Neighbors Weren’t Happy.
Billionaires don’t just live in expensive homes. They also need people to help run them. And sometimes, we’re talking about a lot of staff.
Tiffany Rizzo of CBS12 in South Florida investigated how Larry Ellison purchased eight homes in the gated Palm Meadows Estates community in Boynton Beach.
Ellison has a large estate in Manalapan, about 20 to 30 minutes away. To keep that estate running, he needs employees. Estate managers, chefs, nannies, housekeepers and people handling the lawn and maintenance.
But finding and keeping those employees in an expensive place like Palm Beach County can be difficult.
So Ellison made housing part of the deal.
Here’s what Tiffany found.
Ellison paid about $10 million for eight homes in a gated community. These are large homes with lake views, not apartments.
Employees receive competitive salaries, fully furnished housing and Tesla vehicles for their commute.
They’re not paying rent. The housing is another part of their employment package.
Staffing agencies go through hundreds of candidates to find the right employees for ultra-wealthy families. Some employers even pay for their employees’ children’s college tuition.
Some neighbors were concerned that people who didn’t own their homes would change the dynamic of the neighborhood.
And that’s where things got complicated. After Ellison purchased five homes, the homeowners association introduced new rules limiting owners to five properties and restricting rentals during the first year of ownership.
But three more purchases were already underway.
Attorneys became involved, and Ellison was ultimately able to close on all eight homes. The new rules remain in place, preventing another bulk purchase like his.
Tiffany says she reached out to the HOA multiple times but never received a response.
The question now is whether we’ll see more disputes like this as billionaires buy homes for their staff in expensive communities.
KKK Fliers Appear on Pennsylvania Lawns. Police Say They’re Protected Speech.
Now to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
White supremacist groups have reportedly been leaving fliers in neighborhoods around the city. The leaflets claim to come from the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and another KKK-affiliated group.
They take aim at immigrants, LGBTQ+, and include contact information for anyone interested in joining them.
But police say there’s no evidence of a specific crime. And as of our interview, there’s no formal investigation underway.
Lily Sexton of CBS21 in Harrisburg spoke with residents who received the fliers.
Here’s what she found.
The fliers were left on front lawns near mailboxes along Putnam Drive, just outside Lancaster City.
Residents told Lily that white households on the street appeared to have received the pamphlets.
Some fliers claim to be protected by the First Amendment. One includes the words, “You have been warned by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.”
Neighbors described the fliers as disgusting and said they don’t represent their community.
Residents are reviewing Ring cameras and other surveillance footage to figure out who left them.
Lily even called the phone number printed on one of the fliers.
No one answered, but the voicemail identified itself as the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Residents are frustrated that police aren’t doing more.
Authorities say the fliers are generally protected by the First Amendment because they don’t contain a specific threat. But some residents say messages like “you have been warned” feel threatening.
Lily also found that other Pennsylvania police departments have responded differently to similar incidents. In Carlisle and Mechanicsburg, authorities launched investigations after white supremacist materials appeared in their communities.
So when does language become a threat, and when should law enforcement get involved?
For now, residents in Lancaster are reviewing security footage and trying to identify whoever distributed the fliers.
Lily says the response has brought neighbors together, sending a clear message that these materials aren’t welcome in their community.
That’s the briefing for today.
Who has the stronger case in South Florida: Larry Ellison or the homeowners association? And in Lancaster, what should the response be to these fliers?
Let us know in the comments.
The National Press
Real reporting. From real America.
