On January 13, 2026, the day trial was scheduled to commence at the Suffolk County First District Court, firm partner John LoTurco secured a dismissal on behalf of our client, who had been charged with Harassment in the Second Degree and Stalking. The complainants were our client’s former fiancé and his current fiancée.
Mr. LoTurco demonstrated to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office that the matter was not trial-worthy, as the allegations arose from a long-standing and highly contentious history between the parties, marked by repeated and reciprocal police reports. On the eve of trial, Mr. LoTurco conducted an exhaustive review of the evidence with the two assigned prosecutors and their supervisor, establishing that the complainants had engaged in a prolonged campaign of abusive emails and text messages directed at our client. These communications reflected numerous instances of intentional emotional distress.
One particularly egregious example involved the desecration of our client’s mother’s headstone. The complainants left a card addressed to our client on the grave, mocking her inability to have children, along with baby bottles and toys deliberately placed to further antagonize and emotionally harm her.
Complicating the case was the fact that our client’s former fiancé is a retired NYPD officer who leveraged his status and influence to have our client arrested while preventing charges from being pursued against himself and his current fiancée. Through a comprehensive investigation, Mr. LoTurco was able to demonstrate to the District Attorney’s Office that the retired officer was himself engaged in ongoing criminal conduct, including working off the books while collecting disability benefits.
Although the District Attorney’s Office initially offered a violation plea, and later an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal before trial, Mr. LoTurco and the client stood firm on proceeding to trial. As a result, the District Attorney’s Office dismissed the case in its entirety, and the Order of Protection issued against our client was vacated.
Our client was elated with the outcome and is now exploring potential civil remedies against the complainants.
Mr. LoTurco was assisted throughout the matter by his longtime paralegal, Gina Zamora, who played an integral role in trial preparation and provided professional, attentive client support.