Salvatore Strazzullo, the New York City lawyer notorious for his colorful clientele and personal scandals, was found dead in his car outside his parents' Brooklyn home on Saturday. He was 52. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, and the cause of death has not yet been determined, the NY Post reported.
'Nightlife Lawyer'
Strazzullo, who was nicknamed the “Night-Life Lawyer” for his penchant for cases involving celebrities and embarrassing situations, faced multiple pending criminal charges alleging he exploited elderly clients to the tune of millions of dollars.
Famous clientele
In 2011, Strazzullo defended rapper Foxy Brown in a case in which she was accused of flashing a neighbor with whom she had been feuding. Strazzullo was prepared to invoke “the underwear defense” if the case went to trial, arguing that his client had simply not been wearing underwear that day. However, the case was dismissed.
In another case, Strazzullo represented Milana Dravnel, an exotic dancer who sued Oscar de la Hoya for $100 million in 2007. The case involved racy photos of the boxing legend in his underwear, which Ms. Dravnel sold to a West Coast photo agency for $70,000. Mr. de la Hoya's team alleged that the photos had been doctored.
Personal scandals
The notorious attorney faced numerous legal troubles throughout his career, including allegations of sexual harassment and criminal charges for theft and fraud.
In 2011, Desiree DeMartino, a former paralegal and employee, filed sexual harassment charges against Strazzullo in Brooklyn Superior Court. The suit alleged that Strazzullo locked Ms. DeMartino in a conference room, pleasured her, and committed other inappropriate acts, including forcibly kissing her and touching her breasts.
Strazzullo recently faced criminal charges of theft and fraud, accused of misusing his escrow account to fund a lavish lifestyle. In April, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez alleged that Strazzullo ran a pyramid scheme, using money from one client to pay off another while racking up tens of thousands of dollars in fees at fancy restaurants and hotels. Prosecutors also alleged that he spent the stolen money on luxuries such as a $100,000 BMW and a $13,000-a-month apartment.
Strazzullo pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of grand theft and scheme to defraud, but the evidence against him was substantial. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez condemned Strazzullo's actions, saying he stole the “piggy bank” of seniors who trusted him.
At the time of his death, Strazzullo was facing two criminal charges, including an alleged theft of $1.5 million from three clients.
