Former police officer pleads guilty to running a brothel in a Long Island prostitution ring.
Three individuals, including a former police officer, have pleaded guilty to their roles in operating brothels on Long Island that facilitated a prostitution ring. Frank Saggio, 61, was identified by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office as the leader of this criminal enterprise, which profited from systematic prostitution activities at two locations in Suffolk County from 2019 to 2024.
The admissions of guilt came from George Trimigliozzi, 56, a former Suffolk County police officer with 18 years of service, and Dana Ciardullo, 33, Saggio’s girlfriend, who both managed the establishments that supported Saggio’s operations. Per prosecutors, Saggio imposed a substantial financial burden on sex workers, requiring them to pay an estimated ,000 monthly fee to operate at a brothel in Holbrook, which was overseen by Trimigliozzi. In a parallel arrangement, sex workers at a West Babylon location operated by Ciardullo reportedly paid fees as high as ,000.
Details of the operations reveal a well-organized structure within the brothels. Authorities assert that Trimigliozzi, alongside a 26-year employee of the Islip School District who is still awaiting trial, facilitated the Holbrook operation. The involvement of a former law enforcement officer has raised significant concerns regarding the betrayal of public trust.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney emphasized that these guilty pleas represent a step toward accountability for those who engaged in criminal enterprises that exploit vulnerable individuals. He remarked that such actions significantly undermine public trust and warrant serious consequences.
In a plea agreement reached on Friday, Saggio has committed to pay a forfeiture of ,875,000 and will be sentenced in December, with his prison term ranging from two to six years. Trimigliozzi, likewise, will face sentencing for promoting prostitution and official misconduct, expected to result in a two-year incarceration. Ciardullo is anticipated to receive a sentence of six months in jail followed by five years of probation for her involvement.
The outcomes of these cases reflect the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking and exploitation within communities. As the judicial process moves forward, the implications of these guilty pleas will be closely watched by both the public and officials alike.
This incident and its aftermath underline the need for continued vigilance and reform to ensure that such violations of public trust do not repeat themselves in the future.
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