Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ex-Cop Wants Job Back After Sex Doll Gag Blew Up in His Face
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 30, 2010
Modified May 28, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 30, 2010
Modified May 28, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Staten Island's Mario Buonviaggio, a former NYPD sergeant, wanted to get back at his ex-girlfriend back in 2005. For reasons known only to Buonviaggio, he decided the best way to do this would be to use her credit card and checking account to send porn, lingerie and an inflatable sex doll to her home. But his old flame finally got the last laugh... five years later!
Buonviaggio got fired in January after pleading guilty to the stunt during a departmental trial. Now Buonviaggio, a former undercover narcotics detective who needs spinal-fusion surgery for a line-of-duty injury, is suing to get his old job back, mainly because he needs the insurance. The lawsuit claims he has "constant pain" in his back, feet, left hand and leg from injuries sustained while "protecting the public."
"I'd like to see the Police Department have a heart and do right by this officer," his lawyer tells the Daily News. "It was sophomoric stuff. It was a lovers' quarrel type of thing, and he showed poor judgment." And Buonviaggio, 42, tells the Post, "What's happening is ridiculous. I worked hard for the city, and they fired me for nothing."
Tagged
cops
credit card
nypd
Porn
staten island
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .