Frank Parlato
The Man Who Wasn’t a Stranger
Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon filed a criminal complaint, alleging that he feared for his safety after receiving a mass-distributed Substack email sent by journalist Richard Luthmann.
The email, sent to over 33,000 subscribers, included an unsubscribe link.
Dated July 13, the message, authored by psychiatrist Dr. Bandy Lee, criticized a New Jersey judge and did not refer to McMahon.
McMahon cited the email as a violation of a protective order—though Luthmann contends he was never formally served.
In his criminal complaint, McMahon identifies Luthmann as a “stranger.”
But McMahon has known Luthmann since at least 2015. Luthmann exposed alleged irregularities in McMahon’s campaign filings and helped bring attention to a judicial scandal involving McMahon’s wife, which resulted in administrative discipline for Judge Judith McMahon.
If a New York judge approves the complaint, Luthmann could be extradited from Florida and held in custody for months before any legal challenge is heard. The complaint remains under investigation by the NYPD.
By calling Luthmann a “stranger,” McMahon may have attempted to portray the email as more dangerous. Law enforcement agencies tend to act swiftly when the threat appears to come from an unknown source, in cases involving public officials.
If Staten Island DA McMahon knowingly submitted false information in his sworn complaint—identifying Luthmann as a “stranger”—he could be exposed to criminal charges. Under New York law, knowingly providing materially false statements in official documents can constitute perjury (Penal Law §210.10) or filing a false instrument (Penal Law §210.15) and may be the legal foundation for a false arrest.
Avoiding Disclosure of Prior Animus
Describing Luthmann as a stranger also allowed McMahon to sidestep any requirement to disclose their adversarial relationship.
The Pattern Fits a RICO-Type Scheme.
If the actions taken by McMahon reflect a coordinated effort to use state power to silence or retaliate against a critic, McMahon’s conduct could raise questions under federal racketeering laws.
If a public official coordinates judges, prosecutors, police, and special appointees—through deception, it may be racketeering.
That checkbox—”stranger”—may not be merely dishonest—it may be a strategic obstruction.
2015 – Staten Island DA Race & Fraud Allegations
A Staten Island native born in 1957, McMahon served on the New York City Council from 2002 to 2008, representing Staten Island’s North Shore. He then won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving one term (2009–2011) as the congressman for New York’s 13th District.
McMahon lost his bid for re-election to Congress in 2010 and spent the next several years out of elected office.
The district attorney’s seat became open in early 2015 after Republican DA Daniel Donovan was elected to Congress in a special election (Donovan filled the seat of former Rep. Michael Grimm, who resigned amid a tax fraud case). With his high name recognition as a former congressman and councilman, McMahon emerged as the Democratic candidate. Republicans nominated Joan Illuzzi, a veteran prosecutor from Manhattan.
The Staten Island DA race quickly grew intense and “heated.”
Luthmann’s “Smilin’ Jack” Facebook Parody of McMahon
One of the more colorful players in the 2015 race was Richard Luthmann, a Staten Island attorney and local political provocateur. Luthmann actively supported Illuzzi.
In 2015, Luthmann created a satirical Facebook page that copied content from McMahon’s real campaign page to attract followers – and then rebranded it to lampoon the candidate.
On this fake page, Luthmann nicknamed McMahon “Smilin’ Jack.” He posted exaggerated graphics portraying McMahon alongside cartoonish imagery (at one point even alongside the Grinch in a meme) and labeled McMahon’s inner circle as the “Irish Mafia.”
The parody page was clearly identified as satire – it included disclaimers and linked to McMahon’s campaign website, so as not to impersonate him.
According to communications later revealed, Luthmann noted that “Smiling Jack ain’t too happy with me.” He called him “Tax Hike Mike” – all under the guise of political satire.
Fraud Allegations Over Petition Signatures
In July 2015, Luthmann publicly alleged that McMahon’s team had turned in bogus signatures, including people who were deceased, claiming many were invalid or fake.
“Mike McMahon’s campaign is submitting forged signatures and signatures of dead voters – in clear violation of the law,” Luthmann told the media.
The Staten Island Advance described the petition mess as outright “fraud” in its coverage. NY1 News reported that several signatures submitted on behalf of McMahon were clearly forged, including dead people.
McMahon denied any personal wrongdoing. McMahon defeated Illuzzi by about 55% to 45%.
2017 “Part N” Court Scandal and Judicial Fallout
In early 2017, Luthmann blew the whistle on a secret judicial scheme involving District Attorney McMahon and his wife, Judge Judith N. McMahon.
Luthmann uncovered evidence that the McMahons had created a “Special Narcotics Part” – informally known as Part N – in the Richmond County Supreme Court to steer drug-related search warrant applications and grand jury requests away from certain judges and into the hands of a prosecution-friendly judge.
In this illegal scheme, Judge Judith McMahon used her administrative authority to assign Acting Justice Charles Troia to this new “Part N” docket, tasking him with handling all cases and warrant applications labeled as narcotics-related.
According to a lawsuit by court clerk and whistleblower Michael Pulizotto, DA McMahon’s staff routinely designated a drug offense as the “top charge” even in cases that were not primarily narcotics cases, to qualify them for Part N.
By funneling sensitive applications – like wiretap orders, search warrants, and sealed grand jury submissions – to a friendly jurist, the DA’s team could obtain warrants that “might not have survived stricter judicial scrutiny.”
Secrecy and Improper Influence
Judge Judith McMahon – despite a directive to refrain from criminal matters due to her husband’s position – was involved in Part N’s day-to-day affairs. Pulizotto’s complaint and recordings showed that Judge McMahon exercised de facto control over criminal cases by hand-picking judges and attempting to interfere in jury deliberations.
Chronology of Key Events (2016–2017)
October 21, 2016: Justice Troia complained directly to Judge McMahon that “all search warrants [are] being assigned to him.”
January 18, 2017: In a meeting, Justice Rooney observes that Judge McMahon is far too involved in criminal Part N affairs and cautions that “someone is going to drop a dime.”
Early 2017: Court clerk Michael J. Pulizotto, then Chief Clerk of the Staten Island Supreme Court, “drops the dime.” With Luthmann acting as his attorney and advocate, Pulizotto reported the misconduct to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (SDNY) and New York State court officials. The allegations were reported in December 2017 in the New York Post.
Reacting to the exposure, the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) dismantled Part N and reassigned Judge McMahon. DA Michael McMahon never opened any investigation into his wife’s conduct.
Luthmann’s Related and Unrelated Criminal Cases
On December 15, 2017, Richard Luthmann was arrested by the FBI and indicted in EDNY on fraud and extortion charges. These charges were unrelated to either DA or Judge McMahon.
While Luthmann was in federal custody, McMahon pursued a separate state case over the Facebook satire. After one special prosecutor declined the case, McMahon appointed another—Eric Nelson—who brought charges.
In 2018, Luthmann was indicted in Richmond County for multiple charges related to the Facebook parody.
Ultimately, Luthmann entered a global plea deal. In 2019, he pled guilty to federal wire fraud and extortion conspiracy and received a 4-year sentence. In 2020, he resolved the state case with time served.
In April 2021, Luthmann was released. In 2023, he filed a 264-page motion to vacate the “Fake Facebook” conviction.
Regardless of what you may think of Luthmann’s innocence or guilt, it is hard to believe that McMahon could seriously suggest that Luthmann was a stranger—and that his Substack email could make him fear for his safety or life.
Frank Parlato is an investigative journalist, media strategist, publisher, and legal consultant.
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[…] District Attorney Michael E. McMahon filed a felony criminal complaint in July. He alleged he “feared for his safety” after receiving a mass email from journalist Richard Luthmann’s media outlet. The July 13 […]
Whitey Bulgur of Staten Island.
Michael McMahon is corrupt. He stops employees from getting their rightful benefits. Where is the inspector general? This guy is such a criminal. He is a thief. I would not be surprised if he buried a dead body in his yard.
[…] statements, McMahon himself – in his personal capacity – lodged a felony complaint based solely on an ICARD—a police “investigation card” that does not constitute a valid criminal charge or warrant. No judge ever signed a warrant or […]
[…] unloading allegations of a “RICO-level” conspiracy in the borough’s courts. His chief target: Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon, whom Luthmann accuses of orchestrating a personal vendetta spanning a […]
Absolutely charming.
[…] Luthmann believes the supposed email “threat” was a ploy to lure him back to New York. If a judge approved McMahon’s complaint, Luthmann could have been extradited from Florida and held without bail for months. […]
Lorain county Ohio is riddled with this issue. Look into domestic relations division. There’s a case right now that the CSEA had to intervene because they attempted to turn GAL fees into child support. It was objected and they ignored it. Then atty for CSEA filed to intervene cause he said it was not lawful for them to do that. But they still modified amount three times and garnished salary with no hearing. They inflated income. Next they are sanctioning parent 4000 to pay in 30 days that the other parent already said was gonna be granted. No due process. No hearings. Ignored motions and objections and just threats. Also the parent they gave child to is a felon. Can’t make this up. Poor parent needs eyes on the case. They stay ambushing this parent who is the only one with assets and verifiable income.
Thank you for reporting on this. Everything that happens in the dark comes to light. Thank you for being the light,
Richard-
Ignore the haters!
This is incredibly upsetting and insane that the legal system is a pool of contradictions.
I attempted to join the hearing and was barred. What is the court hiding????
I see corruption in the court system quite frequently. It’s become the new norm here in Franklin County Ohio, especially in the family court system as well as the traffic courts. Ive been both witness & victim. It needs to stop & We The People need to be vocal and loud about holding the criminal court Cabal accountable. Ive been very vocal and will continue to do so.
No one wants to accept that the us constitution has been quietly stripped from us right under everyones noses. Until it happens to them.
This is exactly the kind of case that tests the integrity of our justice system. I’m not here to take sides—but if a sitting District Attorney did in fact falsify a document to discredit a journalist or suppress scrutiny, that should concern every citizen who values due process and accountability.
Whether you agree with Richard Luthman or not, journalists play a vital role in shining light on institutions that prefer to operate in the dark. If even a fraction of his claims are substantiated, we’re not just dealing with a personal feud—we’re looking at systemic breakdowns that erode public trust.
Our legal system is already hanging by a thread in the eyes of many. It cannot withstand the weight of politically motivated tactics or retaliatory misconduct. We say we want justice, but justice demands change. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect a different result.
This isn’t about political leanings—it’s about truth, transparency, and the survival of a system that’s supposed to serve all of us, not just protect those in power.
It is so obvious that Luthman wrote this because he is the only person alive who considers Luthmann to be a “journalist”.. all he writes is self-serving bullshit about how great he thinks he is or how awful the people he thinks have done him wrong are.
I wrote it. And it is a pretty good story at that. Mike, I would reconsider you fear and consider therapy. Seriously.
I was referring to the single comment above not to the article
Clearly the DA is corrupt based on this article and through researching the political afflictions involved
[…] of this unfolds against the backdrop of a felony criminal contempt complaint filed on July 14, 2025, with the NYPD, by Richmond County Distr…, under circumstances that raise serious red […]
Judge Mecca and the rest of these corrupt Nj officials will kill lie and destroy to keep these family court fruad cases silenced. We say no. Let me ask you this fbi of New Jersey what happened to Sheila y Oliver and why was Philip Murphy on vacation. We want to know what her COD was. You know. Also- the fort lee police colluded with another to put me wrongfully illegally into family court. It’s on body cam Feb 8 when they took my baby. They murdered a girl right after what they did to me. They’re all sick in New Jersey. #leaveluthmanalone #freeluthman and investigate these crooks of NJ.
getting a little pudgy Richard?
a bit of an understatement, don’t ya think Frank?
Michael McMahon you should be stripped of your rights to practice law. Your child like antics lack merit. You are a disgrace to the justice system.
This past week, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut issued a Proclamation marking September 9, 2025 as International Falsely Accused Awareness Day.
The proclamation is well worth reading.
Most notably it urges all citizens to reflect on the importance of fairness, truth and justice in our legal systems.
Government officials need to reflect on this as well.
No reason to fear Luthmann, huh?
He was accused of trying to have a democratic official murdered. Whether he really did attempt a murder for hire or not, I can’t blame McMahon for not taking any chances.
https://nypost.com/2017/12/15/lawyer-accused-of-trying-to-have-dem-official-killed/
Yes. I’m the most dangerous man in America. 🤣🤣🤣
Your source: the NYC FBI field office that was the Democrat Party Gestapo for the past decade.
If they were right, Artie Aidala got me a better deal than Sammy The Bull Gravano.
https://nynewspress.com/the-most-dangerous-man/
No one is saying you’re the most dangerous man in America.
But mental illness, drug abuse,, extortion, threats of violence a vengeful nature, lack of judgement etc, are major red flags that would be foolish to brush off as harmless.
His friend David Weigel is not any better. Teamed up with family court influencers to join forces getting donations to blow smoke on the internet. The warrior project is like a revenge site. Your made at the ex so post them on the wall. Convicted criminal join forces to promise parents they will clean up the family court.
When people are in positions of power and misuse it, so scary.
Like Richard did when he was an attorney and preyed on a homeless blind man?
This has gotta be Richard writing all of these comments because the hypocrisy and misperception of reality in all of them is truly insane.
nancyzabaga93@gmail.com. This man is corrupt. Vote him out.
[…] real shocker? Luthmann claims McMahon’s endgame is to extradite him from his current home in Florida on a phony warrant and subject him to […]
Luthman is exactly where he deserves to be. He is nuts.
He is clearly off his meds. If he is in a bipolar mania, there is no helping him until he crashes. Unless he is arrested and forced to get back on medication that way.
Ok, Kevin. That will happen just about as soon as you find your wallet. You still have your First Communion money you cheap bastard. He donated $10 to their wife on the NYCCFB report? Really? You can’t be broke with all the kickbacks coasting off the NYC Council seat!
Yeah, OK keep repeating the lie that it was a Facebook parody. Luthmann himself admitted in court that he was running election interference.
I am the greatest election interferer in New York State election history. That was until 2020, when I was in prison. Then the title went to Mark Zuckerberg.
You have zero rights in a CPS hearing, it’s the most corrupt, child trafficking organization there is, 60 to 70 percent of all child trafficking has been in a foster home, we’ve seen this corruption, lies and judges , GALS, lawyers and all of them work together, you have no freedom of, speech, hearsay is admissable, and you can’t even face your accuser folks, it goes against everything our bill of rights that our forefathers gave limb and life for. Tell me it isn’t corrupt!
Let him be scared. He should be. But really he should fear God because right looks like this DA is going straight to hell. Good luck sir. We’ll pray for you because we’re actually good people unlike you right now.
Thank you.
Honor does not fear the light of day.
And the truth is like a lion. Set it free and it will fend for itself.
You are doing great work and just know they are many many behind you
Claims he fears for his life are exaggerations. Sad he’d stoop to such a low tactic. The claim is a TACTIC which seeks to neutralize any scrutiny and discredit Richard as potentially violent. We support Richard and hope this politicians corrupt behavior is exposed. We support Free Speech.
I am as violent as an NYC dirty water dog. McMahon must have explosive diarrhea.
Freedom of speach
😮
💓
🧿This is what corruption looks like—filing a bogus criminal complaint to silence someone telling the truth! Thank you, Luthmann, for shining a light on this evil!; If they silence you, it’s a tell! There will be thousands (as you now know;)) more shouting with/for you; GOD HELP THE TRUTH (tellers;))
Bogus? Luthmann violated a restraining order. That’s a fact.
I was never served! I was never in court! Mike McMahon perjured himself multiple times in 3 pages! The cops are all under investigation by Internal Affairs!
And you’re full of shit!
So if you were never served, and you were never in court, and you believe this alleged violation is null and void, then why are you so freaked out about it?
Methinks you protest too much.
Because the truth hurts.
The lion of truth bit you on the ass.
McMahon is trying to use his fiefdom to send me away for three years. He is trying to rob me of three more years of my life. He is trying to kill me with institutional homicide.
He’s been doing it for a decade.
You like Shakespeare:
“If you prick us, do we not bleed?
if you tickle us, do we not laugh?
if you poison us, do we not die?
and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
If anyone is trying to kill anyone with institutional homicide, you are trying to kill yourself, or you wouldn’t have violated the restraining order, dumbass!
This blows my mind!!!
This kind of corruption is going on in every state of our country!
How is it that a journalist that exposes scandal and corruption , should be the one facing jail time for exposing it?
It seems so backwards thst a DA can lie and steal someone’s freedom of speech and claim to be threatened by the truth.
If we don’t band together now to stop this kind of crap all of our rights will continue to be violated.
I think he’s facing jail time for allegedly violating a restraining order.
Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has them, and the all stink. Yours is like a fertilizer plant.
Yours is sinkhole with dead animals feeding out of it Richard.
Luthman yours is like the dump
Yea, family is corrupted nation wide. Probably the reason everyone is so upset in this country
This type of behavior has become all to common. Predators have no soul and hence no moral or ethical compass. This type of behavior is required under legal ethics to be reported and disciplined.
Shame on McMahon, BOO! Get him out of office
I tried in 2015! A decade long mistake AND COUNTING!
Like when you tried to frame him for a crime by attempting to pay a stripper to lie?
This is what corruption looks like—filing a bogus criminal complaint to silence someone telling the truth. Thank you, Luthmann, for shining a light on this evil!
This is so disgusting to see what a pig McMahon is. He is also a coward. Such disgrace. Please impeach him and get this clown out of office.
👏👏👏👏
I support this movement
That’s wise of you.
Y ? I JUST ASK Y , DO YOU POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO HURT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 🇺🇸
ahahhaa nice attempt at trying to look like a non-sock puppet by using the all caps.
Richard Luthman is a poor excuse of a Catholic and a human.
Nowadays, I’m a better Southerner. Bless your heart!
Go to confession Richard! Peace be with you. The Catholic people you have hurt forgive you because we are called by Jesus to do so. Now it is time to reflect on your sins and ask forgiveness.
😮 may the Lord reveal all the evil in the world and protect the good.
[…] case against Luthmann stems from a bizarre criminal complaint by DA McMahon. He claims he “feared for his life” after receiving a mass Substack email not even authored by […]
Thousands are watching! This is egregious and a threat to every citizen. Does this DA have protective orders against all journalist? If someone can subscribe to a news service and then force arrest for a protective order violation, that is complete censorship and control of press. This is extremely dangerous with elected officials and would have far reaching implications. Prosecute the criminal DA not the journalist!
No, he does not have a restraining order against all journalist. Just one recently self-described one who is a disbarred attorney and convicted felon who admitted to mental illness and illegal drug use under oath. Those two things are a potentially dangerous mix.
Do you know what’s a terrible mix? Lies, bribes, threats, and audio tapes. Kevin, they’ve got all of them on you.
The irony is you are talking about yourself.
“Thousands are watching “
Dream on.
The public deserves better than a DA who lies to cover his embarrassment. Richard Luthmann did what any good journalist would—shine a light on corruption. Michael McMahon responded like a tyrant. The voters should remember that.
There’s no excuse for McMahon’s misuse of the NYPD. He weaponized a false complaint to arrest a journalist. That should concern every citizen who values free speech. Richard’s only “crime” was telling the truth.
How is the complaint false? The restraining order/no-contact order was violated. It’s not like McMahon is making it up.
I’d like to see the restraining order. Does an email on a subscriber list sent to 33,000 actually put McMahon in fear of his life/safety?
It looks like McMahon told a reporter that Luthman was basically obsessed with him and his wife for two years. And even allegedly tried to pay a stripper $10,000 to lie and say McMahon raped her to ruin his campaign (and life).
If I were McMahon, I would act on any sign that Luthmann was thinking about me again, Such as being added to his koo-koo substack mailing list.
I’m going to rent airtime on Staten Island TV. Then, Mike McMahon can give me the Death Penalty. If an email from a news outlet put him in fear, a PSA will turn him to stone!
Medusa McMahon! And I’m not talking about Judy!
News outlet is a stretch. It’s a bunch of rantings of crazy people. Mostly one crazy person using a bunch of fake names.
This is not the first time Richard and Michael have clashed. Their long history should have been disclosed in McMahon’s complaint. Instead, he pretended to be a victim of a stranger. That lie alone should disqualify him.
That “long history” is likely in the original request for a retraining order, which was granted and in place until I believe 2028? Just because you know the identity of your stalker and your stalker knows things about you, doesn’t mean you are friends. Or even acquaintances.
When was the restraining order issued? I still don’t know and my fucking name is on it.
Good job Tax Hike Mike. You’ve been DA for ten years, and there’s still no e-filing system for Staten Island criminal courts.
Mike McMahon is running his island like it’s 1850s Alabama. Someone should tell the DemoKKKrats there to hide their slaves when the Feds come to investigate.
Richard’s reporting on Staten Island courts has hit a nerve. Rather than address the misconduct, McMahon falsely paints him as a criminal. This isn’t justice—it’s a vendetta. The public sees through it.
Falsely painted as a criminal? He did four years in prison and had his bail revoked because he was a danger to society.
he plead guilty tehn thanked judge weinstein for letting him become a feefee for la mara
Journalists should not face felony charges for publishing criticism. Richard’s Substack is a digital newspaper, not a weapon. Michael McMahon is turning the courtroom into a censorship machine. It’s disgraceful and dangerous.
Michael McMahon’s credibility is shot. He claims he didn’t recognize Richard’s name, yet the two have been on opposite ends of major legal battles. That’s not forgetfulness—that’s perjury. Someone needs to hold him accountable.
If the arraign me on Staten Island, I will plead guilty to the murder of Mike McMahon’s credibility and political career with malice aforethought through journalistic means.
Not guilty to everything else.
Richard Luthmann exposed some of the most damning information about the Richmond County courts. Instead of investigating, McMahon targeted the messenger. This is textbook retaliation by a public official. It undermines public trust in the DA’s office.
If McMahon actually feared for his life, why did he wait over 24 hours to report it? That delay alone makes the “fear” claim suspicious. This isn’t about fear—it’s about political revenge. Richard embarrassed him, and now he wants payback.
Michael’s entire complaint hinges on pretending he didn’t know Richard. That’s impossible. They’ve gone toe-to-toe in public forums, press pieces, and legal matters for nearly a decade. His statement to NYPD reeks of intentional deception.
Richard, er, I mean, Ann Marie, Michael’s entire case hinges on Luthmann violating a protective order.
Mike’s crony hack has to prove there was a protective order. It wasn’t served in court. And it wasn’t served on me! Ask Brian Laline!
https://www.silive.com/crime/2020/10/defeated-trial-by-combat-lawyer-admits-guilt-in-fake-facebook-page-case.html
Richard Luthmann sent a newsletter to thousands. It included an unsubscribe button and no direct threats. For McMahon to call that a “crime” is a disgrace to the First Amendment. This is lawfare—plain and simple.
Michael McMahon claiming he feared for his life over a mass Substack email is absurd. Richard Luthmann has been a public critic for years, not some anonymous stalker. McMahon knows exactly who Richard is—they’ve battled in court and politics since 2015. Calling him a “stranger” is a flat-out lie.
Where has the Disbarred Damager been? No longer with Frank Report?
I’m right here!
Yeaa boi!!
If Luthmann and this guy never met and were never introduced or interacted in person, they are strangers to each other.
We were both members of D.O.R.C. – the Democratic Organization of Richmond County. I was a Democrat back in 2014 when McMahon was the President of the Organization.
So what? That doesn’t mean you were buddies.