What began as a bitter dispute over a dentist's affair with a lawyer's wife evolved into a protracted legal battle that ended with the dentist paying substantial legal fees to the lawyer. The conflict, which saw accusations of defamation, threatening messages, and even a large billboard, took a dramatic turn when evidence emerged that the dentist had misled the court.
The Genesis of the Feud
The acrimonious legal conflict between cosmetic dentist Todd Shatkin and former lawyer Steven Ald began around 2010. Court documents indicate the dispute was ignited when Ald's then-wife visited Shatkin's practice and their professional interaction evolved into a consensual affair. Shatkin, who was married at the time, later described the relationship as short-lived.
Ald learned of the affair in 2012, leading to his divorce from his wife, who subsequently moved to Arizona. According to court filings, Ald then initiated what Shatkin described as a relentless campaign to damage his reputation.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
Ald was accused of sending disturbing postcards to Shatkin's patients and staff, creating websites with allegations of sexual misconduct, and sending threatening text messages. In 2022, a 48-foot billboard appeared on the New York State Thruway featuring Shatkin's portrait with the message: "This doctor has acted inappropriately. Help us stop him." Shatkin claimed these actions were revenge for the affair.
In court, Shatkin alleged that Ald was responsible for multiple defamatory websites, including "buffalopredator.com" and "toddshatkinthepredator.com," which he claimed were registered overseas to evade takedown requests. Shatkin also reported receiving threatening text messages in February 2023, including one that stated, "Suckers like you don't deserve to live. You will die thinking of what you have done." Shatkin's legal team suggested these texts indicated Ald was tracking his movements, including via his private plane.
Ald denied being behind all the websites and sending the threatening messages. He also claimed Shatkin had attempted to extort him by demanding millions of dollars in exchange for ceasing the alleged harassment campaign.
Legal Reversals and Financial Consequences
In July 2023, New York State Supreme Court Justice Grace Hanlon ruled that Ald had violated a cease-and-desist order and ordered him to pay Shatkin $55,000 in legal fees, stating Ald appeared "obsessed" with harming the dentist. The judge noted Ald's testimony was "nervous, evasive, obstructionist and contradictory."
However, the case took a sharp turn in 2024 when investigators working for Ald uncovered evidence linking Shatkin's credit card to the purchase of a website domain, "buffalo-diaries.com," which Shatkin had previously accused Ald of creating.
Confronted with this evidence, Shatkin acknowledged in an affidavit that he had, in fact, purchased the domain, attributing his earlier testimony to an "honest mistake." He claimed he bought the domain after receiving a text message he believed was from Ald, fearing it would be used to target him.
Shatkin also stated in his affidavit that the fallout from the legal battle contributed to the collapse of his nearly 30-year marriage. He acknowledged the pain of realizing his actions had caused distress to his family.
Following this revelation, Justice Hanlon vacated the earlier ruling against Ald. Shatkin's lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and he abandoned his appeal. Shatkin agreed to pay Ald $187,191.86 in attorneys' fees and costs.