Cover photo: D.A. Tierney showcases evidence to the press (Credit – Matt Meduri)
After a three-year investigation, District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), his department, and the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), have released the findings in a public corruption case that involves a now-former SCPD officer and an Islip High School teacher. The two, along with other individuals, were allegedly involved in forging a criminal enterprise that perpetuated prostitution in Suffolk County.
The investigation was aided by the SCPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. The result is a fifty-eight-count indictment, charging four defendants with a litany of crimes.
Tierney described the “criminal enterprise” that operated for approximately five years, from 2019 to 2024, and the alleged perpetrators “unlawfully profited from prostitution.”
Frank Saggio is alleged to have been the “head” of the enterprise, who owned the two buildings involved in the investigation. One is located at 6089 Sunrise Highway in Holbrook and the other is located at 30 B Gleam Street in West Babylon.
The Holbrook location is comprised of three suites, all allegedly owned by Saggio. Tierney (pictured above) stressed that although the three storefronts appear to be separate businesses, internal connections show the one business was essentially subdivided into three suites, each of which housed an alleged sex worker. American Girls Spa was located in Suite 3, a separate spa in Suite 4, and an adult toy shop in Suite 5.
Additionally, each suite had a separate manager who was required to “pay up” to Saggio.
The West Babylon location, called the Tunnel of Love, a live adult entertainment venue. The managers of Tunnel of Love were also allegedly required to “pay up” to Saggio.
Furthermore, sex workers within these two locations were required to collect “house fees” and cash from customers. The house fees went to the managers and Saggio, while the tips were retained by the workers, who were not paid a salary from management. Tip amounts varied based on specific sex acts required, which Tierney described as an “a la carte” menu of services offered.
A search warrant of Saggio’s West Islip residence was executed in June, which resulted in the seizure of $104,225 in cash, which was hidden throughout the house.
Saggio also allegedly had some of the sex workers sign agreements, which he “euphemistically,” according to Tierney, termed as “leases.” These agreements stipulated the workers to pay $6,000 per month at the Holbrook location and $12,000 at the West Babylon building. Other euphemistic terms included “rents” and “towel fees.”
“All they really were were terms to hide what the proceeds were,” Tierney told reporters at a Tuesday afternoon press conference in Hauppauge. “All proceeds were derived from prostitution and prostitution acts. Some of these sex workers spoke limited English and could not read in English, but nonetheless Saggio required them to sign agreements with him written in English.”
Saggio and his girlfriend, co-defendant Dana Ciardullo, allegedly discussed how many specific acts of prostitution the workers would need to perform each day in order to maintain their monetary obligations. These findings were obtained through intercepted communications.
The story thickens with now-former SCPD officer George Trimigliozzi, who had been with the department since 2006. He is charged with serving as manager of the Holbrook location from October 2019 until March 2021. He was suspended in August without pay from SCPD for conduct unrelated to the investigation.
Tierney described March 19, 2021, as the “turning point” in the case. Trimigliozzi was called by a sex worker to report that a customer at the Holbrook location had been robbed; Trimigliozzi had been on duty in the Third Precinct at the time. Based on GPS data for his patrol car provided to the D.A.’s office by the SCPD, Trimigliozzi allegedly abandoned his post while on duty and traveled at speeds of almost ninety miles per hour to the Holbrook location. He allegedly traveled six miles outside of the Third Precinct into the Fifth Precinct. After spending roughly a half-hour in Holbrook, he traveled back to his post in Islip Terrace.
“It’s alleged he couldn’t report this because the SCPD was unaware that he allegedly had a side job managing a prostitution business,” said Tierney. Trimigliozzi is being charged with one count of Enterprise Corruption, thirteen counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree – pertaining to his unauthorized response to the Holbrook robbery – one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and one count of Official Misconduct. All but the last charge are felonies.
Steven Arey, a twenty-six-year employee of the Islip School District, is also alleged to have served as a manager at the Holbrook location on Saggio’s behalf. The physical education teacher was suspended prior to the school year.
Contacts from sex workers’ phones label Trimigliozzi’s phone number as “George,” with a further designation of “Boss.” The number is registered in Trimigliozzi’s government name.
Saggio, 60, is charged with one count of Enterprise Corruption, two counts of Sex Trafficking, and fifty-one counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, all felonies. He faces eight-and-one-third years to twenty-five years in prison if convicted.
Tierney called the case a “comprehensive investigation that employed electronic evidence collection, undercover police investigation, years of surveillance, and interviews of numerous witnesses.”
“No one is above the law and this indictment illustrates that point,” said Tierney. “Public servants committing crimes are a violation of public trust and that will not be tolerated.”
Tierney relayed another message to public officials and the general public: “In Suffolk County, we’re watching. The D.A’s office is watching and our law enforcement partners are watching. But more importantly, so is everyone else: coworkers, colleagues, and members of the public.”
“The charges outlined here today are deeply disturbing,” said SCPD Deputy Commissioner Belinda Groneman (pictured above), adding that Trimigliozzi will “never work again” as an SCPD officer. “The men and women of our department are the utmost professional and dedicated to public safety. The actions of Trimigliozzi are his own and are in no way a reflection of sworn officers who are protecting and serving with integrity.”
Tierney also noted that there is currently no evidence that the sex workers were living at the locations or were being forcibly held against their will. The sex workers have been interviewed, but Tierney said the charges against the four alleged defendants are the only charges being disclosed at this time.
One reporter became slightly argumentative with Tierney over Trimigliozzi’s representation of the SCPD overall, even questioning whether or not officers’ “qualified immunity” is a culprit in perpetuation of such public corruption cases.
“Qualified immunity has to do with acts that are taken in connection with official [police] duties,” said Tierney. “This, we allege, is clearly misconduct.”
Tierney also asked the reporter: “Is the teacher [Arey] indicative of an underlying problem with teachers on the lot?”
“Could be, yes,” said the reporter. Tierney stated his disagreement, to which the reporter replied, “that’s horrible.”
Arey, 53, of Islip, is charged with one count of Enterprise Corruption and twenty-seven counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, all felonies.
Ciardullo, 32, of North Bellmore, is charged with one count of Enterprise Corruption and seventeen Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, all felonies.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira and Bureau Chief Kevin Ward of the Public Corruption Bureau.
This is a developing story.
