By Dick LaFontaine and Rick LaRivière

Red Bank NJ Attorney Steven MonaghanPhoto byRichard Luthmann / Substack

Red Bank attorney Steven Monaghan has earned the dubious title of Scumbag Lawyer of the Week on The Unknown Podcast.

Hosts Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann dissected Monaghan's role in the highly contentious divorce case between Lori and John Grossi. Monaghan’s tactics—specifically his gag order attempt to silence John Grossi and the media—drew sharp criticism from the hosts.

Lori GrossiPhoto byRichard Luthmann / Substack

Monaghan represents Lori Grossi, who accuses her estranged husband of domestic violence, claiming a bruise on her face as evidence. However, John Grossi contends that the bruise came from Botox, not from any alleged abuse. The controversy over the bruise gave rise to the now-infamous "Botox Bruise" divorce case.

In his legal filings, Monaghan sought to prohibit John from posting any "disparaging or harassing information" about Lori or her business, Sensory Playground Pediatric Therapy Center, on social media or with the press. Monaghan’s overreach didn’t stop there—he also requested that the media, including The Unknown Podcast, be gagged from covering the case.

“Monaghan’s basically asking for a gag order on all of us,” Volpe explained during the podcast. “He wants John silenced, and he wants us silenced too. It’s insane.”

Luthmann agreed, highlighting that Monaghan’s 20-pound filing violated the First Amendment: “You can’t just muzzle someone because you don’t like what they’re saying. Monaghan is trying to control the narrative, and he’s doing it by violating free speech rights.”

Monaghan’s efforts to silence the media and critics haven’t gone unnoticed. “This isn’t just about a divorce,” Luthmann said. “Monaghan’s using the courts to suppress the truth.”

The Unknown Podcast hosts made it clear that Monaghan’s scumbag tactics wouldn’t go unchecked.

“We’re not going to let this go,” Volpe declared. “Monaghan can file all the paper he wants, but he can’t shut down free speech.”

Dick LaFontaine is a veteran journalist chasing gripping and thorny stories all over the world.

Rick LaRivière is an independent investigative reporter.

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