Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Composer Accused Of Lighting Up Life With Dozens Of Assaults
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 28, 2011
Modified Jan 28, 2011
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
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 28, 2011
Modified Jan 28, 2011
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
Seventy-two-year-old songwriter, film director and one-time Oscar winner (for penning schmaltzy '70s pop tune "You Light Up My Life") Joseph Brooks was previously indicted on 91 counts for allegedly luring at least 13 young women to his apartment via Craigslist ads and raping and sexually assaulting them. And now prosecutors claim that's just the tip of the iceberg.
According to prosecutors, Brooks promised the would-be starlets fame and a part in his next movie, but is accused of sexually assaulting and raping them (this is the man who once wrote, "it can't be wrong when it feels so right"). Today, on the eve of his trial in Manhattan Supreme Court, prosecutors say that they have evidence that Brooks attacked at least a dozen more women in years past.
The statute of limitations means he can't be tried for those assaults, but prosecutors want the women to testify as character witnesses. His son, Nicholas Brooks, is accused of killing his fashion designer girlfriend at the Soho House.
Tagged
composer
joseph brooks
oscar
rape
sexual assault
you light up my life
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Published Oct 10, 2026 at 1:24 p.m. ET
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con
By
Jessica Gould
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
By
Karen Yi
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
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 .