Former Olympian Faces Eviction Amid Luxury Condo Dispute

A legal battle is unfolding in a high-profile West Village building where owners are seeking to evict former Olympic luger Erica Terwillegar and her partner, Peter Molinari, from their $26,000-a-month condominium. The owners, Cathy Crane and Salvatore Trentalancia, allege that Terwillegar and Molinari have overstayed their lease at 150 Charles Street and have actively sabotaged a potential $6.75 million sale of the property.

Terwillegar, who competed for Team USA in luge at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics and is now a jewelry designer, continues to reside in the apartment with Molinari. The building at 150 Charles Street is known for its celebrity residents and high-end amenities.

According to a lawsuit filed in July, Terwillegar's lease was set to run from August 2024 to July 2025. However, the owners claim that while rent was paid during the original lease term, utilities went unpaid, and rent payments ceased after the lease expired. They assert that Terwillegar's mother, Andrea, also resides in the apartment and is named in the suit along with Molinari.

Legal Claims and Counterclaims

The owners contend that a lease provision allows for rent to double for tenants who overstay their term. They are seeking approximately $624,000 in rent for the year through July 2026. Alternatively, they are requesting $327,600 for the occupants' continued stay, along with demands for over $30,000 in utility charges, at least $100,000 in legal fees, and $250,000 in punitive damages.

A significant point of contention is the alleged obstruction of a $6.75 million sale. The owners state they had a buyer ready to purchase the unit, but the deal collapsed because the occupants repeatedly denied access to the apartment for viewings.

Terwillegar and Molinari, however, present a different narrative. Through their attorney, they claim that rent payments were made on time and that the apartment was cluttered with the owners' belongings, rendering some areas unusable. They also question the legitimacy of the prospective buyer. Molinari, in comments to Curbed, expressed a desire to remain in the building, stating, "Once I got into 150 Charles, I wasn’t leaving."

History of Litigation

This is not the first time Terwillegar and Molinari have been involved in landlord-tenant disputes. Court documents reveal a history of 19 lawsuits involving the couple. Previously, at a rental at 166 Perry Street, their landlord alleged they stayed beyond their lease expiration in November 2022. That case, which sought at least $66,000 in unpaid charges and legal fees, reportedly concluded in an undisclosed settlement in August 2024.

The couple has also initiated legal action against others. In July 2025, they filed a lawsuit seeking at least $30 million in lost earnings from Barry Leistner, an investor. They allege Leistner forged documents to obtain a judgment against them in 2012. They claim a prior judgment against them was vacated in March 2024 due to fraud and forgery. A September filing indicated Leistner sought dismissal of this lawsuit, with settlement discussions reportedly underway.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The eviction case at 150 Charles Street is scheduled for trial in December.