Justice Paul Marrone Reverses Anti-Cop Ruling by Staten Island Divorce Judge Ronald Castorina
Retired NYPD Detective and 9/11 Responder Guy Simonetti Freed from 'Unhinged' Castorina's Vindictive Arrest Order
By Dick LaFontaine and M. Thomas Nast
New York State Supreme Court Justice Paul Marrone reversed Staten Island Divorce Court Judge Ronald Castorina's decision to arrest retired and disabled NYPD Detective and 9/11 Responder Guy Simonetti. Castorina issued the order in November.
Castorina, known in court circles as the "Tubby Terror of the Law," attempted to jail Simonetti just before Christmas. Simonetti alleges his “grave offense” was being too old, sick, and broke to appear in court.
In a stunning reversal, Justice Marrone sided with common sense and gave the retired NYPD Detective and 9/11 responder the benefit of the doubt over the objections of opposing counsel John Z. Marangos, Esq., of Staten Island.
"Thanks to Justice Marrone, Castorina’s insane Arrest Warrant is vacated, and now there is a chance I can see my 94-year-old father before he dies," Simonetti said. "That is the greatest kindness anyone has done for me in a very long time."
Simonetti described last week’s hearing.
"I was on the phone because I'm not tech-savvy and couldn't get into the Zoom," Simonetti said. "I'm working on it, and we are back at the Court shortly - next week. I want to try to resolve things."
"Judge Marrone said that he had just received the case and would 'slow things down.' He vacated the Arrest Warrant that Castorina had put into place. Then John Marangos started hemming and hawing. The way I heard it was that Justice Marrone cut him down to size, saying decorated and retired NYPD Officers get the benefit of the doubt in his courtroom. I am thankful for that," Simonetti said.
Simonetti described his dire financial situation, stating that he lives on charity and the goodness of others and cannot travel to New York due to Castorina’s freezing his assets. Until recently, Simonetti was also afraid that he might get arrested.
"My father is in end-of-life care. For the past several years, I have not been able to get to him. Recently, he offered to pay for my travel, but that was not doable because of several issues, including Judge Castorina's baseless and vindictive arrest warrant. Now, there is a good chance I will see my father before he passes. I cannot express how grateful I am to Justice Marrone for his compassion," Simonetti said.
Last July, the retired detective, now a Florida resident, didn’t have the money or health to appear in a Staten Island courtroom because Castorina’s actions rendered Simonetti “judicially indigent.” An IRA account the Judge had ordered belonged to Simonetti was drained—in absentia—by Marangos. Simonetti said Castorina never allowed him to be heard.
"Justice Castorina was inconsiderate, uncompassionate, and obtuse – to put it mildly," Simonetti noted. He recounts an incident where the judge suggested he could “take a private ambulance to the courthouse” despite knowing he couldn’t afford it.
Simonetti believes Judge Castorina is biased against him, possibly due to anti-NYPD sentiments. "It’s sad because so many politicians have taken that turn recently,” Simonetti said in court papers.
The Text of Justice Marrone's Order is as follows:
In January, Castorina recused himself amid serious allegations of perjury and judicial misconduct in Simonetti’s papers.
The case landed with Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Paul Marrone, Jr., a Republican and former Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis while she was a New York State Assembly Member. Marrone was previously a court attorney for Civil Court in Staten Island and a Legal Intern for the NYPD’s legal bureau. Some say it was a stroke of luck for Simonetti.
Simonetti says anyone is better than Judge Castonina, who he believes is biased against him, possibly due to anti-NYPD sentiments. "It’s sad because so many politicians have taken that turn recently,” Simonetti said in court papers.
"Justice Marrone has always been 100% pro-law enforcement and their families," said a Staten Island Courts insider. "Cops, Corrections, Court Officers - they all know he is in their corner and will reward honorable service with the benefit of the doubt. He is a breath of fresh air in this building, unlike certain others," the insider said.
Simonetti’s affidavit details accusations against Judge Castorina and Attorney Marangos. He describes a pattern of judicial and attorney malfeasance that has impacted his ability to receive a fair shake in his divorce case.
The retired NYPD Detective alleges that Judge Castorina played funny business with a crucial Order to Show Cause in November 2023.
Simonetti now calls for Judge Marrone to reopen the default judgment against him, citing CPLR § 5015(a) and emphasizing his inability to comply with court appearances due to financial and health issues.
“I want to resolve this case. I already said this to the judge,” Simonetti said.
Simonetti criticizes Marangos for seeking additional attorney’s fees, arguing that the plaintiff has already wrongfully taken his assets.
"Attorney Marangos wants more money when he outright stole the Mass Mutual monies without legal authority," Simonetti stated, describing the situation as larceny.
Robbing from a retired NYPD Detective is the height of ballsy,” said a Staten Island court insider.
Simonetti's pending affidavit requests that Justice Marrone vacates the default judgment give him a fair opportunity to present his case, and, if necessary, compel the attendance of his former attorney, Gary Angiuli, to explain his actions in failing to adequately support Simonetti’s defense last year while counsel still represented him.
“My impossibility of performance was not self-created on July 31, 2023. I had counsel representing me in July. Attorney Angiuli terminated my engagement with his office,” Simonetti said. "Mr. Angiuli’s office stopped zealously representing me when they saw my money was cut off."
This matter is calendared for its next appearance on May 29, 2024.
Stay tuned for follow-up coverage.
Fantastic and just outcome. Thankful to Judge Martins for restoring faith in the system. Great reporting. Thanks for bribing it to the public.