Manhasset lawyer charged with stealing $229,990 from client

Stephen Romano

A Manhasset lawyer who prosecutors said stole $229,900 from a client to pay for a North Hills Country Club membership and other expenses was arrested on Wednesday.

Alfred DiGirolomo, Jr., 61, received $229,900 from his client, a restaurateur, to fund settlements in three lawsuits, Nassau County prosecutors said.

DiGirolomo sent a forged stipulation of settlement or satisfaction of judgement to his client saying the cases had been resolved when they were still ongoing, prosecutors said.

The client’s new attorney discovered that DiGirolomo did not file the satisfactions of judgement with the court and contacted the Nassau County district attorney’s office who opened the case in January.

DiGirolomo used the money to pay credit card expenses, utilities, gasoline, cars, insurance, department stores, a civic association, a figure skating club, and a cigar club, prosecutors said.

“These thefts are particularly egregious because the defendant allegedly used the money he stole from his client for extravagant purchases – like country club dues and car payments,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. “Lawyers who betray their clients’ trust by stealing their money will be aggressively prosecuted by my office and if this defendant is convicted, we will seek restitution for this victim.”

DiGirolomo was charged with five counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and second-degree grand larceny. He pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, he faces five to 15 years in prison.

Efforts to reach DiGirolomo’s attorney, James Froccaro of Port Washington, were unavailing.

Share this Article