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Queens lawyer bought condo with late Slave Theater owner’s cash: prosecutors

Frank Racano allegedly stole nearly $600K from estate of “Kung Fu Judge”

The Slave Theater and John Phillips (Credit: Slave Theater)
The Slave Theater and John Phillips (Credit: Slave Theater)

A Queens attorney accused of robbing the estate of Judge John Phillips allegedly spent some of money on a condominium for his mother.

Frank Racano is charged with stealing just under $600,000 from the estate of Phillips, the former owner of the Slave Theater at 1215 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, who is also known as the “Kung Fu Judge” for his love of martial arts, the New York Post reported.

Racano was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $1,000 for contempt of court after he and Phillips’ nephew Rev. Samuel Boykin failed to comply with a court order holding them responsible for the $2 million in proceeds from 2012 auction of Phillips’ properties.

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The attorney had previously admitted to using some of the cash to pay off his debts.

The Slave Theater has changed hands several times since Judge Phillips died in 2008. Last November, it was bought by developer Eli Hamway of Industrie Capital Partners for $18.5 million, part of a three-parcel deal.

Racano pleaded not guilty to the charges this week and is being held on $250,000 bail and bond. He will return to court Aug. 10. [NYP] – Ariel Stulberg

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