Luthmann Declares War on Staten Island’s Corrupt DA McMahon & Political Machine

Former attorney turned journalist Richard Luthmann has officially declared all-out war on what he calls Staten Island’s “judicial and political swamp,” targeting District Attorney Michael McMahon, his allies in politics, and judges who he claims have been shielded by years of backroom deals. Speaking on The Unknown Podcast with co-host Michael Volpe, Luthmann laid out his case: McMahon’s office used an unconstitutional NYPD “I-card” – essentially a warrantless “be on the lookout” order – to try to lure him from Florida into New York custody on false pretenses. The alleged violation? A protective order McMahon obtained as a private citizen over Luthmann’s satirical online posts, even though McMahon had subscribed to Luthmann’s Substack voluntarily.

The I-card scheme, Luthmann says, was part of a broader plot to fabricate evidence and cover up a missing fingerprint card in his old case – a card that, if absent, could unravel his plea deal and collapse the prosecution entirely. He accuses Detective John Wilkinson of admitting in a recorded call that McMahon’s influence meant, “I can do whatever I want,” bypassing normal judicial oversight.

But Luthmann’s war isn’t just about his case. He’s aiming squarely at Staten Island GOP Leader Michael Tannousis, accusing him of “incestuous” cross-party judicial endorsements, including securing Judge Judy McMahon’s 2023 election win. He vows to expose the “Part N” patronage network, starting with the Victor Abraham case, where a young man spent 11 months on Rikers Island before charges fell apart.

Luthmann says he’s already in touch with federal authorities and predicts RICO and civil rights indictments will hit McMahon and other New York DAs after November’s elections, when political pressure eases. “Mark my words,” he told listeners, “the Feds will roll in.”

If Luthmann delivers even a fraction of the evidence he claims to hold, Staten Island’s entrenched political and judicial elite could face a reckoning unlike anything the borough has seen in decades. For now, McMahon’s camp dismisses him as a disgruntled felon – but the mounting leaks, recorded calls, and investigative reporting suggest the war is just beginning.