A shocking betrayal of public trust has been uncovered in Long Island, New York, where a veteran cop and experienced teacher were discovered to be running brothels and managing sex workers. Suffolk County Police officer George Trimiliozzi, 55, who had served on the police force for 18 years, and Steven Arey, 53, a teacher of 26 years, were part of a crew arrested and charged with enterprise corruption and promoting prostitution, among other charges. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office described the allegations as a long-term pattern of organized criminal activity, leading to the indictment of Trimiliozzi, Arey, Frank Saggio, 60, and his girlfriend, Dana Ciardullo.
The criminal investigation revealed that between October 2019 and June 2024, Saggio was the leader of a group profiting from the systematic promotion of prostitution at two locations in Suffolk County. Specifically, Trimigliozzi and Arey worked as managers at a building in Holbrook known as the American Girls Spa “Suite 3,” along with two other alleged brothels known as “Suite 4” and Reiki for Healing “Suite 5.” During this time, the group allegedly collected “house fees” from sex workers and advertised their services, leading to charges of enterprise corruption and promoting prostitution.
In a disturbing turn of events, a customer was allegedly robbed at the American Girls Spa in March 2021. Trimigliozzi, who was on duty as a police officer at the time, received a call from a sex worker warning him that the customer had called 911 and the police were on their way. He then abandoned his assigned post in the Third Precinct and drove to the brothel at almost 90 mph in his marked police car, according to the indictment. Trimigliozzi is further accused of falsifying police paperwork to conceal his unauthorized visit to the American Girls Spa, further highlighting the extent of the alleged criminal activity.
Saggio, the alleged leader of the group, faces two counts of sex trafficking for making sex workers sign leases requiring them to pay him between $6,000 and $12,000 a month. Additionally, he is charged with 51 counts of promoting prostitution and could face up to 25 years if convicted on the most serious charges. Meanwhile, Trimigliozzi is charged with 18 separate offenses, including 13 counts of promoting prostitution, and Arey faces 28 separate charges. Ciardullo, the girlfriend of Saggio, is charged with 18 counts, demonstrating the breadth of the alleged criminal enterprise involving these individuals.
The arrests of a veteran cop and experienced teacher in Long Island have sent shockwaves through the community, with authorities condemning the actions as a betrayal of public trust. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney expressed his dismay at the arrest of a public servant, emphasizing that the allegations in the indictment point to a long-term pattern of organized criminal activity. The indictment alleges that the group, led by Saggio, profited from promoting prostitution at several locations in Suffolk County over a period of several years, further underscoring the seriousness of the charges brought against the defendants.
The case involving Trimiliozzi, Arey, Saggio, and Ciardullo serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the law and the severity of consequences for those who engage in criminal activity. The alleged involvement of a police officer and teacher in such illicit behavior has raised questions about the extent of corruption within public institutions and the need for greater oversight and accountability. As the legal process unfolds, the community in Long Island and beyond will be watching closely to see justice served in this troubling case of alleged criminal activity.
