New York Attorney Michael Collesano Sues Woman After Mocking his Tiny Manhood

Michael Collesano, a Manhattan attorney and licensed real estate broker, has filed a defamation lawsuit that centers on a crude remark about his anatomy. The case, lodged earlier this year in New York County Supreme Court, stems from an escalating feud with his neighbor and fellow broker, Aimee Fink.

Court filings show Collesano, who owns unit 11F at 155 East 34th Street, accused Fink of orchestrating a campaign to harm both his personal reputation and professional interests. The verified complaint outlines months of conflict tied to a contentious Warren House condominium board election, alleging Fink spread false information, interfered with business activities, and disparaged him and his wife.

The allegation that has defined the lawsuit is rooted in a single incident on January 17th, 2025. According to Collesano, while he and his wife were loading luggage in the lobby, Fink gestured with her fingers to indicate a small size and shouted: “you have a little dick.” The complaint claims this insult was made in front of building staff and is representative of broader harassment.

Niagara Action has not independently confirmed the claims in this lawsuit. They remain allegations, not facts, unless proven in court.

The complaint details other alleged actions including Fink telling neighbors Collesano was behind on common charges in order to discredit his eligibility for the board, calling his wife Mandy “gross,” and blaming him for authoring a letter that unsettled residents. It further accuses her of using an alias email account to obtain business information improperly, distributing confidential materials, and leveraging her board position to benefit herself.

The filing notes that two weeks after the January lobby encounter, Collesano informed Fink he intended to sue her. In response, she allegedly got in his face, gave him the middle finger, and called police. No charges resulted in the incident.

According to legal analysts who commented on similar defamation cases in the past, they say the case highlights the fine line between defamation and non-actionable insults. Under New York law, plaintiffs must show that a false statement of fact was communicated to a third party and caused reputational damage. Insults such as the genital remark, observers note, are often treated as opinion or rhetorical hyperbole and rarely meet that bar.

The timeline described in the filing could also undermine Collesano’s claim. The January 17th insult preceded his February threat to sue, making it appear that he escalated an embarrassing dispute into litigation. By doing so, he may have amplified the very insult he sought to suppress.

Collesano’s lawsuit has also prompted questions about professional ethics. As a lawyer, he is bound by the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which limit the use of courts as tools of harassment. Legal experts point to several potentially relevant rules:

Rule 3.1 prohibits frivolous claims. A case driven by a playground-level insult could be viewed as meritless.

Rule 4.4 forbids using the law to harass or embarrass others. Spotlighting humiliating remarks may appear retaliatory.

Rule 8.4 bars misconduct prejudicial to justice. Litigation over crude name-calling risks eroding public trust in the legal system.

Rule 3.2 prohibits actions intended only to burden or delay. If the purpose is to drain Fink financially, this would raise concerns.

Rule 8.4(h) warns against conduct reflecting poorly on an attorney’s fitness to practice. Escalating a crude personal insult into major litigation could call into question judgment and proportionality.

Niagara Action stresses that it is not asserting Collesano has violated these rules. Rather, in consultation with a Juris Doctor, this list identifies standards that may be implicated by the facts described in the complaint.

Collesano’s lawsuit names both Fink and her brokerage as defendants and seeks damages for defamation, business defamation, and unfair competition. He portrays the litigation as a necessary defense of his livelihood and good name.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL COMPLAINT HERE:

collesano defamation.pdf

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New York Attorney Michael Collesano Sues Woman After Mocking his Tiny Manhood