Host of show entitled "Estate Planning with Jerry Battista" was apparently planning his own estate.
He allegedly bought a Jaguar and new clothes, spent thousands on strip clubs and lavish trips, but now a Marshfield lawyer, Gerard Battista, is spending time in the Plymouth House of Correction.
Prosecutors from the state Attorney General's office alleged yesterday in court that Battista, 58, had swindled $1.2 million from four of his clients and had used the money for personal expenses.
Battista, who is the host of two radio call-in shows on WATD 95.9 FM in Marshfield, was hired by a couple in July to assist them with the sale of their house in Cohasset and the purchase of a property in Florida, Rice said.
Battista’s show -- Estate Planning with Jerry Battista – was carried by WATD on weekends.
State police assigned to Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly's office arrested Battista at Logan International Airport after his return flight from El Salvador, where he had been visiting his wife's family.
He pleaded not guilty in Plymouth District Court yesterday on one count of larceny by a single scheme over $250. He was held on $500,000 cash bail and was ordered to surrender his passport.
Boston Globe, April 19, 2005
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