By Richard Luthmann
As Americans prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, the feast in America’s family courts continues unabated. Judges and lawyers, known collectively as the Family Court “Misery Bar,” carve up families with the same zeal they’d attack a turkey, leaving carcasses of financial and emotional ruin in their wake.
If you plan to dine with this group, arrive early—once they’re through, there will be nothing left.
At the head of this table is New York State Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Waterman-Marshall, whose rulings have weaponized civil contempt to send litigants to Rikers Island over unpaid legal fees.
A group of lawyers is backing her, determined to shield the judge from criticism and attack whistleblowers and journalists who expose corruption.
The NYC Misery Bar: Justice Waterman-Marshall’s Harsh Rulings Defended By Lawyers Fattened on Family Court Dysfunction
These lawyers, who have grown fat on the dysfunction of family courts, mounted an unprecedented defense of Waterman-Marshall. They also directed venom at investigative journalist Sarah Wallace, whose reporting on Waterman-Marshall’s debtor’s prison antics sparked outrage.
Justice Waterman-Marshall directed all inquiries about the dozens of judicial complaints against her to OCA Spokesperson Lucien Chalfen.
Key members of this Misery Bar include:
Philip Katz (Fink & Katz, PLLC): Co-authored a fierce defense of Waterman-Marshall, accusing Wallace of “sensationalism” while ignoring the judge’s record of abusive rulings.
Pass the Mashed Potatoes and the Martial Assets! Danielle Petitti (Petitti PLLC): A staunch defender of Waterman-Marshall, Petitti argued that incarcerating wealthy litigants is “necessary,” ignoring the broader systemic issues.
Light meat. Dark meat. Butcher them to the Bone! Daniel Lipschutz (Aronson Mayefsky & Sloan, LLP): Downplayed concerns about debtor’s prisons, claiming Waterman-Marshall’s rulings were legally sound despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Virginia A. LoPreto, Esq.: A vocal advocate for the Misery Bar, LoPreto condemned press scrutiny of family court corruption, prioritizing judicial protectionism over transparency. (In the interests of full disclosure, she represented my ex-wife. She should represent the Chinese Consulate because everything I had - including my freedom - was Shanghai-ed by this one after she advised my ex-wife to cooperate with the FEDS. But that’s a story for another day.)
These attorneys, along with others like Adria S. Hillman and Michael Beyda, have turned defending judicial overreach into an art form. Their collective disdain for transparency underscores a system prioritizing profit over justice.
Attacking Whistleblowers and Journalists
Instead of addressing legitimate concerns, the Misery Bar has focused on discrediting those who expose family court corruption. Investigative journalist Sarah Wallace, who reported on Waterman-Marshall’s use of Rikers Island as a debtor’s prison, became a primary target.
“Wallace shined a light on the dark underbelly of family courts,” said Family Court Fraud Warrior David Weigel. “The Misery Bar responded by trying to discredit her, proving how deeply entrenched their corruption is.”
Weigel himself faced backlash after exposing Justice Tandra Dawson for similar abuses. Attorney Daniel Nottes alleged that Justice Dawson was called the “Bill Cosby” of Family Court.
But Dawson and her cronies are more like “Apex-Predator Bill Cosbys.” While good ol’ Cliff Huxtable would only lure you in with a pudding pop, drop a rufie, and take you for the night, Dawson presides over a system that will relentlessly rape you - heart, mind, body, soul, and bank account - for years on end, and with no end in sight.
Dawson, like Waterman-Marshall, has been accused of wielding contempt rulings as a financial cudgel, particularly against fathers.
Designer Child Trafficking and Judicial Overreach
The corruption doesn’t end in New York. Across the state and beyond, family courts have become cash cows for judges, lawyers, and court-appointed professionals.
Is Your Child the Next Commodity? Shocking Claims of 'Designer Child Trafficking' in Family Courts!
Coined by Weigel, critics have dubbed the practice “designer child trafficking,” where custody disputes are prolonged to maximize profits.
Justice Ronald Castorina Jr. of Staten Island threatened to jail retired NYPD detective Guy Simonetti, a disabled 9/11 responder, for unpaid legal fees. Castorina’s lack of empathy mirrored Waterman-Marshall’s punitive approach.
Justice Sherri Eisenpress of Rockland County has been accused of judicial favoritism and cronyism, leaving litigants questioning the fairness of her rulings. She takes her cues from the Borscht Belt.
In Connecticut, Judge Thomas J. “Steal” O’Neill presides over the high-profile Ambrose custody case, where allegations of bias and financial exploitation continue to mount.
The Full Menu of Corruption
Family courts nationwide resemble a Thanksgiving feast—litigants are the main course, and judges and lawyers devour every last bite. Here’s a "menu" of attorneys who profit from this broken system:
Gary Cohen (Stamford, Connecticut): Aggressively pursues contempt rulings to extract legal fees. In his defense, the money is needed to treat his liver spots.
Kathryn Ciesla (Northfield, Illinois): Allegedly funneled bribes to law enforcement in custody disputes for Beermann, LLP.
John D’Arco III (Chicago, Illinois): Accused of wielding undue influence in Cook County courts through bribes and turning a blind eye to child sexual abuse. Luthmann called him out for engaging in Doxxing of “civilians.” D’Arco broke the code and won’t do a sit-down.
Joel Hirshhorn (Miami, Florida): Intimidates journalists and litigants through legal threats. Mike Volpe had a run-in with him.
Peter A. Lauzon (Los Angeles, California): Exploits high-asset Hague Convention cases for maximum profit. Say goodbye to your money and your kids - forever!
Gretchen Z. Boger (San Jose, California): Known for racking up fees in drawn-out cases.
Edward Nusbaum (Westport, Connecticut): Accused of aggressive billing and human relations tactics. A former “New England Wrestling Champion,” he’ll “put your head in the pavement” between tanning-bed sessions.
Daniel B. Nottes (New York, New York): This “designer child trafficker” faces accusations of bias and collusion with judges.
John Z. Marangos (Staten Island, New York): Complaints of ethics violations and favoritism abound.
Attorney John Marangos Reuben A. Doupé (Naples, Florida): Known for unethical practices in high-conflict custody cases. Sources say he’s told his wealthy male clients not to pay child and spousal support to “choke” out protective moms.
A Call to Action: Carving Out Justice
Corruption thrives in secrecy, and family court is no exception. It’s time for the public to demand accountability and shine a light on these Thanksgiving turkeys.
If you have experienced or witnessed misconduct in family court, email richard.luthmann@protonmail.com to report corrupt judges or lawyers. Your voice can help expose the rot and pave the way for reform.
Journalists cannot be compelled to reveal their sources. For example, under section 79-h of the New York Civil Rights law, sources and all information transmitted are protected.
This Thanksgiving, let’s give no pardons to the Misery Bar. Instead, let’s send them to the chopping block where they belong. Only by cutting out this corruption can we create a legal system that serves families—not greed.
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