NYPD 9/11 RESPONDER HOUNDED BY STATEN ISLAND DIVORCE COURT NIGHTMARE
Retired Detective Battles Vindictive Court Rulings and Attorney Harassment
By Dick LaFontaine, M. Thomas Nast, and Frankie Pressman
Retired NYPD Detective and 9/11 responder Guy Simonetti faces relentless legal battles and personal harassment in a Staten Island Divorce Court. Local attorney John Marangos continues his pursuit by appealing Justice Paul Marrone's compassionate ruling last month, allowing Simonetti to see and bury his dying father.
Marangos filed not one but two notices of appeal with the NYS Appellate Division Second Department in Brooklyn, seeking to reinstate a bench warrant issued by anti-cop Judge Ronald Castorina.
Some see the Simonetti case as symbolic of the poor treatment the NYPD, its distinguished retirees, and their families receive from the New York City and State governments.
A Tumultuous Legal Journey
Simonetti’s legal nightmare began when Judge Ronald Castorina issued a bench warrant against him last November, despite Simonetti’s severe health and financial struggles and distinguished NYPD service. Castorina, notorious for his anti-cop stance, targeted Simonetti just before Christmas, placing him in dire straits.
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Frank Report dubbed Castorina the "Tubby Terror of the Law," emphasizing his vindictive actions towards Simonetti.
Now residing in Florida, Simonetti recalled, "Castorina wanted me dead. His actions nearly put me in a death sentence situation."
A significant turn occurred in January when Justice Paul Marrone received the case. Simonetti’s accusations against Castorina included, among other claims, allegations that the judge had perjured himself at a 2018 grand jury. Following these serious claims, Castorina recused himself from the matter.
"There is no statute of limitations on dishonesty by lawyers and judges. Castorina is unfit to judge the contents of a crackerjack box. I don't know why this judicial corruption isn't front-page news in the Staten Island Advance," Simonetti said. “Castorina has it out for me because I believe the people deserve a Supreme Court Justice who isn’t a felon – charged or not,” Simonetti asserted.
Justice Marrone reversed Castorina’s arrest order, siding with Simonetti. This decision allowed Simonetti to travel to New York without fear of arrest, enabling him to say goodbye to his dying father and attend to funerary arrangements in May.
"I was right by his side, thanks to Justice Marrone," Simonetti said, expressing deep gratitude.
Persistent Legal Harassment
Despite Justice Marrone's ruling, Attorney Marangos quickly appealed to reinstate the bench warrant. Simonetti accuses Marangos of employing underhanded tactics, including enlisting Angela Matteucci, his neighbor in Florida known for her potty-mouthed harassment, to spy on him.
“My doctor told me I needed exercise, and aqua therapy was the best option. I don’t know what they are trying to prove other than that I’m following doctor’s orders,” Simonetti said.
He says it’s nothing more than harassment and suspects Marangos didn’t act alone in colluding with Matteucci.
"I believe Attorney Gina Sgarlato has her hand cooking up this harassment scheme. Gina, Angela, and my ex-wife are like the three witch sisters in the movie ‘Hocus Pocus.’ They have nothing better to do than brew up harassing and vindictive schemes. The old bats deserve each other," Simonetti remarked.
The harassment extends beyond legal tactics. Simonetti alleges that Matteucci has been spying on him and verbally harassing him during his aqua therapy sessions at his Florida condominium. This coordinated effort will destabilize him further and add pressure during his ongoing legal battles.
Health, Financial Hardships, and NYPD Attacks
Simonetti’s severe health issues and financial constraints further complicate his legal troubles.
“Travel is an issue. My father paid for the plane tickets so I could see him for the final time. But I still had to watch for blood clots and other issues. Thankfully, I’m back in Florida doing my aqua therapy,” he said.
But Simonetti is not out of the woods yet. He is still battling a series of crippling legal rulings and seeking to have his side of the story heard.
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“Judge Castorina froze all my accounts and left me indigent,” Simonetti stated. “Who can afford a ‘private ambulance’ to travel 1,000 miles? But that’s what he said. He’s lost touch with reality.”
Simonetti’s legal filings detail accusations against Marangos and Castorina, highlighting a pattern of judicial and attorney misconduct designed to undermine his defense. Simonetti believes Castorina’s anti-NYPD bias influenced these actions.
“It’s sad because so many politicians have turned against the NYPD,” he said. “I can’t imagine how they do the job today.”
Simonetti isn’t the only NYPD retiree facing static from NYC politicians and judges.
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“We are in uncharted waters. Mayor Adams is doing a great job protecting law enforcement families. But other politicians want to see us destroyed. It’s never been this bad or this blatant. You have several City Council Members openly supporting and funding groups that support and advocate for cop-killers,” said a law enforcement union insider under conditions of anonymity.
A Call for Fair Treatment
Simonetti calls for Justice Marrone to reopen the default judgment against him, emphasizing his prior inability to comply with court appearances due to his financial and health issues.
“I want to resolve this case fairly. I already told the judge,” he said.
Simonetti also criticizes Marangos for seeking additional attorney fees after allegedly wrongfully taking his assets. He detailed how his IRA was drained without his presence or proper representation, attributing this to underhanded maneuvers.
“Marangos wants more money after stealing from me. It’s larceny,” Simonetti asserted.
Simonetti’s affidavit outlines judicial and attorney malfeasance that has severely impacted his ability to receive fair treatment. He accuses Judge Castorina of manipulating a crucial Order to Show Cause in November 2023. Simonetti also criticizes his former attorney, Gary Angiuli, for failing to support his defense adequately.
“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’s papers stated. "Mr. Angiuli’s office stopped zealously representing me when they saw my money was cut off."
Hope Amidst Struggle
Despite relentless attacks, Simonetti remains hopeful. Justice Marrone’s compassionate ruling provided a much-needed respite, allowing him to spend precious final moments with his father. Simonetti hopes for a fair resolution that respects his service and current plight as a retired NYPD detective and 9/11 responder.
The case remains ongoing, with Simonetti’s next court appearance scheduled for this month. As he navigates this complex legal landscape, he remains determined to seek justice and fair treatment, fighting for respect for himself and others in what he refers to as a “world gone mad.”
“Twenty years ago, you didn’t have to worry that New York State Judges would go after good cops. Now, you have maniacs like Castorina who want to use the NYPD to virtue signal a political agenda. I’m confident with Justice Marrone that I can get a fair shake and try to resolve this case,” Simonetti said.
However, the larger question must be asked: Why are some New York judges and politicians making life harder for good cops and their families?
Super article, very well articulated