Salvatore Strazzullo, a prominent New York City lawyer known for handling scandalous cases that earned him the nickname “Night-Life Lawyer,” was discovered dead in his car in Brooklyn over the weekend. The 52-year-old attorney, who resided in Manhattan, had been embroiled in various legal disputes, including accusations of defrauding his clients for personal gain, as stated by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
Authorities found Strazzullo unresponsive in his vehicle at around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday near 16th and Cropsey Avenues. Despite efforts by medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. At the moment, there is no evidence of foul play, but an investigation is currently underway.
Throughout his career, Strazzullo represented individuals involved in late-night incidents, such as nightclub staff, strippers, and even celebrities like boxer Oscar De La Hoya. One particularly notorious case involved a lawsuit filed by Milana Dravnel, an ex-dancer, against De La Hoya for defamation. Dravnel claimed to possess photos of the boxer dressed in women’s lingerie, seeking $100 million in damages. Despite De La Hoya’s denial of the images’ authenticity, the legal battle eventually concluded with a settlement.
In addition to his legal pursuits, Strazzullo was due to appear in court for multiple felony charges related to grand larceny and fraud, alleging a complex financial scheme that funded his lavish lifestyle. He had entered a plea of not guilty in response to these accusations.
The attorney’s sudden passing has left many questions unanswered, with his law firm’s website inaccessible and officials refraining from commenting on the circumstances surrounding his death. As the investigation continues, the legacy of Salvatore Strazzullo, the “Night-Life Lawyer,” remains a mix of intrigue and controversy within New York’s legal landscape.
