Accused serial rapist Gary Zerola found guilty of rape in 2021

A former Suffolk County prosecutor who was repeatedly accused of rape and acquitted in three separate rape trials was found guilty of rape on Wednesday.

Gary Zerola, 52, was found guilty of rape by a Suffolk Superior Court jury and acquitted of aggravated rape and burglary, a more serious charge, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.

According to the prosecutor, Zerola and a woman he was dating helped her drunken 21-year-old boyfriend return to their Beacon Hill apartment in 2021. Later, Zerola returned to her apartment without permission and raped her in her sleep, the prosecutor said.

“These cases are always difficult, and this victim deserves tremendous credit for taking the stand and telling the jury what happened to her that night,” said District Attorney Kevin Hayden. “I thank the jury for considering all of the information presented to them and reaching a just verdict.”

Zerola – once named one of People magazine’s most eligible bachelors – worked as a prosecutor for the Essex and Suffolk County district attorneys and founded a nonprofit organization to support foster children, according to a 2008 study. Boston Article.

The former prosecutor has been charged with rape on multiple occasions since 2004. Zerola was acquitted of two separate sexual assault charges in Boston in 2008. Similar charges against Zerola were dropped in Louisiana and Florida. The Boston Globe reported.

Last year, Zerola was again acquitted of two rape charges related to a 2016 incident. A woman testified in court that she woke up to Zerola undressing and attacking her while her girlfriend, who was dating him, slept nearby. His defense team pointed to his past relationship with the alleged victim, including Snapchat messages, dinner and drinks, and a motorcycle ride.

Zerola will be sentenced on July 15.

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