Former Suffolk County “Cop of the Month” George Trimigliozzi has been sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in managing a mob-linked brothel in Holbrook. Trimigliozzi, a 56-year-old father of two, had a successful 18-year career in law enforcement, receiving the outstanding officer award multiple times. However, his double life as a brothel manager led to his downfall after pleading guilty to promoting prostitution and official misconduct charges.
Trimigliozzi’s criminal activities included responding to a robbery at the brothel, the American Girls Spa, while on duty as a police officer. He even abandoned his post to speed towards the crime scene at 90 mph in his patrol car. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney expressed his disappointment in Trimigliozzi’s betrayal of public trust, stating that it is particularly egregious when a sworn police officer engages in criminal behavior.
The illicit scheme involved Trimigliozzi and Steven Arey, a phys ed teacher at the Islip School District, working as brothel managers for Mafia associate Frank Saggio. Saggio oversaw a network of brothels, including the American Girls Spa and the Tunnel of Love in West Babylon, where sex workers were required to pay between $6,000 and $12,000 a month to operate. Trimigliozzi, Saggio, and Dana Ciardullo, Saggio’s girlfriend who ran the Tunnel of Love, all pleaded guilty to charges related to the prostitution ring.
In addition to his involvement in the brothel operation, Trimigliozzi also faced sexual abuse charges in a separate case involving women he met on dating apps. While the initial charges were dropped, Trimigliozzi pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful imprisonment. Arey, on the other hand, faces an enterprise corruption charge and multiple counts of promoting prostitution.
Saggio, who must pay nearly $1.88 million in restitution, is awaiting sentencing, while Ciardullo’s sentencing is scheduled for December. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of law enforcement officers abusing their power and engaging in criminal activities.
