A Wading River attorney was arrested and arraigned for allegedly stealing money that was designated to purchase a residence for his client.
On June 2, 2025, Peter Giattino, the principal attorney at PVG Legal Solutions PLLC, was hired to represent the victim in the purchase of a Southampton home. On June 13, 2025, the victim had the funds to purchase the home wired to Giattino. Upon receiving the money, Giattino allegedly began withdrawing the victim’s money via official bank checks, ATM transactions, and cash withdrawals. It is alleged that between June and October 2025, he stole $751,687 from the client. It is further alleged that Giattino spent a portion of the victim’s money at local and out-of-state casinos.
After Giattino allegedly caused the real estate closing to be unnecessarily canceled, the victim hired new counsel to represent him in the real estate transaction and repeatedly requested that his money be transferred to his new attorney. Giattino allegedly failed to return the victim’s money because he had already spent it on unauthorized personal expenses.
On January 15, 2026, Giattino, 43, was arraigned before Riverhead Town Justice Lori M. Hulse for Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.
He was released on his own recognizance because, under current New York State law, this crime is not deemed bail eligible. Giattino is due back in court on April 8, 2026.
“The allegations against this defendant reflect a serious betrayal of the confidence the victim placed in this attorney in his role as both legal counsel and fiduciary,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “The integrity of the attorney-client relationship is fundamental to our society, and this office will not allow licensed professionals to abuse their positions for personal gain.”
Anyone who may have been victimized by the defendant is asked to call the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at (631) 853-4626.