Long Island, New York, lawyer Peter Giattino is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing six figures from a client who hired him for a real estate transaction.
The client, who remains unnamed, hired Giattino to represent him in the June 2025 purchase of a Southampton home. The client wired $750,000 to Giattino for the purchase.
However, over the five months that followed, the attorney allegedly withdrew the funds through official bank checks, ATM transactions and cash withdrawals for gambling and other personal expenses.
By October, the closing on the Southampton home had fallen through, allegedly at Giattino’s behest, leading the client to ask the attorney for the funds. However, Giattino had spent the entire $750,000.
“The allegations against this defendant reflect a serious betrayal of the confidence the victim placed in this attorney in his role as both legal counsel and fiduciary,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in a statement. “The integrity of the attorney-client relationship is fundamental to our society, and this office will not allow licensed professionals to abuse their positions for personal gain.”
Giattino was arraigned on Thursday on a charge of grand larceny in the second degree and is scheduled to appear in court again in April.
Giattino’s attorney, Bob Macedonio, spoke to Newsday on Thursday, maintaining his client’s innocence while holding up Giattino’s lengthy career as a prosecutor for the district attorney’s office.
“Mr. Giattino is a well-respected attorney in Suffolk County,” he said. “We believe once we’ve had the opportunity to review all documentation, and continuing our discussions with the DA’s office, we will resolve this case in Mr. Giattino’s favor.”
Newsday said Long Island has been plagued by cases similar to Giattino’s. However, there’s been “little to no action by state officials” beyond the New York State Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, which helps clients recover stolen funds.
