Stephen Michael Santoro

If I could leave zero stars, I would. If exposing these attorneys saves even one person from the nightmare I endured — every word is worth it. For clarity: I did not hire Stephen M. Santoro. I encountered him as counsel for his companion, Heather M. Abissi. They sued me in Dutchess County Supre...me Court (Index No. 2018-53812, Abissi, Esq. v. Lembert) after their lawsuit was declined in Orange and Putnam Counties — classic forum shopping. The suit used fraudulent affidavits of service, fabricated evidence, and perjury. Classic "sewer service" lawsuit to secure a default judgment by signature of the Clerk of the court. In NYS Dept. of State v. Clemens W. Pantaleo (File No. 2019-0764), based on my complaint and evidence, the Division of Licensing Services issued a Consent Order on September 30, 2024.Pantaleo admitted notarial fraud in the Abissi/Santoro lawsuit against me, surrendered his Notary commission with prejudice (recorded as revocation), and admitted collaborating with unlicensed process server Patrick J. Ruto, Santoro, and Abissi on fraudulent affidavits of service to deceive courts and obtain default judgments. A September 30, 2024 Department letter confirms the admissions but notes it lacks authority to discipline attorneys.This is a public record, searchable via NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services. Santoro and Abissi will burn through your retainer in days with minimal work, then demand thousands more. Abissi is known to tell clients to “sell an organ on the black market or sell fruit at intersections” to pay her bill (direct quote from her sworn June 22, 2017 NYS Police deposition). Context: Abissi was Senior Associate / Second in Command at the firm of now-disbarred Michael R. Varble. She erased all traces of her time at Varble & Associates from her profiles and the Internet, but records prove her role — and her silence — while dozens of clients suffered. In the Matter of Michael R. Varble, 2018-01354 (Appellate Division, Second Dept, July 9, 2018) — Varble resigned and was disbarred for misappropriating client funds. Dozens harmed; Abissi not held accountable despite admitting under oath the firm was a “scheme to defraud,” “one big Ponzi scheme,” and “every Client’s retainer is instantly gone.” Abissi later ran Abissi & Associates PLLC (now Abissi Law PLLC) in Brewster/Beacon, NY. Less than 6 months after I retained her, she moved out — unable to pay rent. Before retaining Santoro or Abissi (they are two peas in a pod), verify independently: *New Jersey bar status *Admission to EDNY/SDNY (federal records) *Actual office location and county *Multi-attorney firm or sole practitioner? *How many lawsuits are filed against them and what are the claims. Report complaints agains Santoro and Abissi to: * Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District (covers Dutchess/Putnam): 399 Knollwood Road, Suite 200, White Plains, New York 10603 | (914) 824-5070 Or: Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, Attorney Matters, 45 Monroe Place, Brooklyn, New York 11201 (they can refer as needed and take complaints against attorneys seriously) Provide clear and factual details of your complaint in writing. If you've had similar experiences, contact me at [email protected]. The more complaints these agencies receive the greater the chances these attorneys will be held accountable. If I'd known about Abissi's history with Varble or her personal connection with Santoro, her sever financial debts, I would have never have hired her. Do your research on Santoro and Abissi and anyone connected to them — it will save you time, money, stress, family, and life savings.