Wading River lawyer swiped nearly $1M — and blew client cash at casinos, DA says
A Wading River lawyer was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment charging him with stealing nearly $1 million from clients and others — allegedly blowing much of the money on gambling and personal expenses.
Peter Giattino, 43, principal attorney of Wading River-based PVG Legal Solutions PLLC, allegedly diverted a total of $855,480 entrusted to him through five legal matters between October 2023 and October 2025, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
The two largest alleged thefts involved money entrusted to Mr. Giattino for real estate transactions. In September 2024, while representing the seller of a residential property, he spent a buyer’s $94,000 down payment on gambling expenses and cash withdrawals instead of holding it in escrow until the closing, prosecutors said.
Then, on June 13, 2025, a client wired Mr. Giattino $751,687.71 for the purchase of a Southampton home. After Mr. Giattino allegedly caused the closing to be unnecessarily canceled, the client hired another attorney and repeatedly requested that the money be transferred to his new counsel.
By last October, Mr. Giattino had spent all of it on unauthorized personal and gambling expenses, prosecutors said.
The six-count grand jury indictment includes two counts each of second- and third-degree grand larceny and one count each of first-degree scheme to defraud and petit larceny.
If convicted of the top count, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
“This defendant allegedly exploited his position as a local attorney and diverted funds that rightfully belonged to individuals relying on him for professional integrity and fiduciary responsibility,” said Suffolk DA Ray Tierney in a statement. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute this case to deliver justice for the victims and to send a clear message that those who abuse their legal authority for personal gain will be held fully accountable under the law.”
The alleged scheme began in October 2023, when a client paid Mr. Giattino $4,500 to help recover money from a car dealership over a damaged vehicle. Mr. Giattino promised the client he would recover “lots of money” but stopped responding after receiving the payment, prosecutors said.
An investigation by the District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad found that Mr. Giattino did not work on the case or return the money despite repeated requests from the client, according to the DA’s office.
He is also accused of stealing $480 that a pro bono client gave him to pay a traffic fine. Mr. Giattino allegedly used the money for personal expenses and failed to tell the client that her ticket remained unresolved.
In another case, a client paid Mr. Giattino $4,450 in June 2025 to assist with a real estate deed transfer. Prosecutors said he stopped responding to requests for updates, missed several in-person appointments and failed to return the client’s legal documents or money.
Mr. Giattino was initially arrested in January over the alleged theft of the Southampton buyer’s money. The indictment adds allegations that he stole money in four other legal matters dating to October 2023.
The charges are not eligible for bail under state law. Mr. Giattino was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Sept. 25. He is being represented by George Duncan, Esq.
The District Attorney’s Office asked anyone who believes Mr. Giattino victimized them to call 631-853-4626.
