BROOKLYN, NY – Salvatore Strazzullo, a Brooklyn lawyer, has been charged with the theft of approximately $3.8 million from four clients, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. The funds, meant for real estate and estate transactions involving properties in Bensonhurst, Kensington, Dyker Heights, and Borough Park, were allegedly diverted by Strazzullo to support his opulent lifestyle, including dining at upscale restaurants, stays at luxury hotels, a BMW purchase, and an apartment in Battery Park City.
This indictment follows a separate charge from December 2023 where Strazzullo was accused of misappropriating almost $1.5 million from three other clients. The victims, including senior citizens, had entrusted Strazzullo with the sale of their properties, expecting their financial security to be safeguarded. Instead, their funds were allegedly redirected into Strazzullo’s accounts.
Salvatore Strazzullo, 51, faced arraignment before Justice Danny Chun in the Brooklyn Supreme Court. He faces charges including one count of first-degree grand larceny, four counts of second-degree grand larceny, and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. Despite the grave accusations, Strazzullo was released without bail, with a court return date set for May 29, 2024.
The investigation revealed multiple instances of alleged embezzlement by Strazzullo, including failing to distribute over $1.2 million from the sale of a Bensonhurst property owned by an elderly couple and misappropriating about $933,120 from another sale in Kensington. Furthermore, Strazzullo is accused of withholding approximately $693,273 from the sale of two properties owned by a middle-aged couple and failing to distribute $871,250 from the sale of a Borough Park property belonging to the estate of a 75-year-old man’s cousin.