Sean Ludwick

Sean P. Ludwick (born 1972/1973) is an American real estate developer. He is the founder and managing partner of Black House Development, a residential development firm. He was convicted in 2017 of aggravated vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a death, and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Early and personal life Ludwick is from Manhattan, in New York City, was raised in Nassau County, New York, and split his time between a townhouse on Sutton Place in Manhattan and a house in Bridgehampton, New York. His father is from Flatbush in Brooklyn, New York, his mother is from Peru, and he speaks Spanish.

Ludwick earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

He has two sons. His wife filed for divorce in 2016. He enjoys painting as a hobby, including painting murals.

In 2010 he developed 580 Carroll Street in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, a 17-unit five-story building designed by architect Enrique Norten. In July 2014, Ludwick said that Black House was seeking a $300 million construction loan, so that it could refinance a $61 million loan it had from UBS.

In September 2014, Black House filed for a mixed-use building, the Hudson Rise Hotel, at 462-470 11th Avenue. It was to include 242 hotel rooms, 108 condo hotel rooms, and 47 regular condominiums.

Ludwick sued his partners for trying to force him out, and in a motion to have Ludwick's complaint dismissed they stated "Plaintiff's behavior became erratic. He was arrested multiple times, including for assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and breaking into and painting penises in his girlfriend's apartment. The publicity surrounding his arrests damaged the business ... by, among other things, causing lenders to withdraw their financing offers or change the terms under which they would provide financing." Ludwick then dropped his lawsuit.

In May 2013, Ludwick was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on a woman, other than his wife, who was staying with him at an inn. Ludwick also allegedly used his ex's computer to send lewd emails to executives at her company, posing as her, saying she had engaged in relationships with married men, including her then-current supervisor. He was furious that his mistress might be unfaithful to him, despite the fact that he himself was being unfaithful to his wife.

Sag Harbor conviction Crash, arrest, and charges On August 30, 2015, Ludwick was arrested by Southampton Town police. He had drunkenly crashed his silver 2013 Porsche Carrera at high speed into a telephone pole in the village of Sag Harbor in Long Island, New York, at around 2:30 a.m. He allegedly then dragged the body of his critically injured passenger and friend, 53-year-old Paul Hansen, from his damaged car, dumped the body and left it lying in the street—on the block and 100 feet from where Hansen lived with his wife and sons ages 11 and 13, and where Ludwick's son was for a sleepover—and threw Hansen's wallet into the woods, and then drove away. Hansen was pronounced dead at the scene. A neighbor called 911, and responding police found Ludwick with his car a few minutes later. He faced 32 years in prison on the 13-count indictment. He also searched the internet for, among other things, "10 secrets to being a good liar", "Why do fugitives get caught?", "Percentage of bail jumpers caught," and "Does Venezuela extradite to the U.S.?", it was revealed at a bail hearing.

An FBI agent moonlighting as a sailing instructor became suspicious of Ludwick, who had asked him questions about the ability of the boat to make it to South America and about extradition laws, and contacted authorities.

In October 2015, Hansen's widow filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of herself and her children against Ludwick in New York State Supreme Court. In 2018, the case settled out of court.

Ludwick was denied parole three times, during which his prior criminal history was also noted; in September 2018 (where his "lack of empathy and shallow remorse" was noted), in March 2020, and in September 2021. He served time in the Downstate Correctional Facility maximum security prison in the Hudson Valley, the Gowanda Correctional Facility medium security prison (where he received a disciplinary ticket and prison sanctions for fighting), and the Otisville Correctional Facility medium-security prison in Orange County.

Release and parole Ludwick was released from New York State prison in Otisville, where he had been inmate number 17A4448, on January 12, 2022. He was 49 years of age. Ludwick had to be released from custody by law, due to the fact that he had served five years in prison in total.

Ludwick was parole until January 12, 2025, in Suffolk County's jurisdiction. While on parole, he was prohibited from leaving New York State without the permission of his parole officer.

Hansen's wife said: "... the punishment did not fit the crime. The criminal is free to move on with his life and even return to the same neighborhood where he took so much from so many. The family of the victim is left empty, broken, and still trying to heal while dealing with the reality of the felon living around the corner. This is wrong on so many levels."