Where Is Peter Bacanovic’s Former Assistant Today?

On October 30, 2024By Karl

Martha Stewart faced charges of insider trading, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice, which resulted in her conviction and subsequent incarceration in 2004. Douglas Faneuil, an assistant to Peter Bacanovic, Stewart’s broker at Merrill Lynch, became a key figure in the case when he testified. He said Bacanovic instructed him to inform Stewart about the stock dump by ImClone CEO Sam Waksal, prompting him to sell his shares before it was made public. Netflix’s ‘Martha’ offers a comprehensive look at Stewart’s life and career, highlighting how Douglas’ testimony and the legal battle that followed deeply affected the businesswoman and author.

Douglas Faneuil’s Testimony Against Martha Stewart Completely Changed the Case

Douglas Faneuil grew up in a privileged, wealthy family in Newton, Massachusetts. After high school, he briefly attended Bennington College in 1994, where he studied Political Science and Government, but left after a year. He later graduated from Vassar College in 1997. The artist, known for his interest in theater and art, moved to New York with the desire to become an actor. During this time, he reportedly befriended W magazine staffer Rob Haskell, who helped him secure a position as Peter Bacanovic’s assistant at Merrill Lynch.

Douglas found himself at the center of the legal storm surrounding Martha Stewart in the early 2000s. In December 2001, Stewart sold shares of biotechnology company ImClone Systems. He was alleged to have engaged in insider trading and acted on a tip from Bacanovic. While police investigated his involvement and he was cleared of those charges, the scrutiny continued as he was accused of lying during a federal investigation. Douglas initially maintained that he knew nothing about the details of the transaction and kept a low profile as the case progressed.

In October 2002, Douglas pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of accepting a payment that included vacation time, a portion of his boss’s commission, and Knicks basketball tickets to bolster Stewart and Bacanovic’s accounts related to the stock deal. During the trial in January 2004, he testified against Stewart, stating that he was instructed by Bacanovic to make the phone call regarding the transaction. Douglas described Stewart as one of the most difficult people he has ever worked with and even shared emails in which he expressed frustrations with her behavior.

Douglas Faneuil Didn’t Have to Go to Prison for His Intervention

Douglas Faneuil lost his job after pleading guilty in 2002 and faced intense media attention due to the high-profile nature of the case. Reports indicate that he kept a low profile and only spoke to a few close contacts during this period. In 2004, he avoided prison and probation after being fined $2,000 for accepting a payment during the government’s investigation. He expressed regret in court, stating that he had changed in the two years since the incident. Around this time, he reportedly began working at an art gallery in Chelsea, New York, returning to a field he had always appreciated.

Douglas Faneuil Works as an Independent Software Developer Today

Douglas Faneuil worked as Chief of People, Technology and Products at Gawker Media from February to October 2012. In this role, he gained significant experience managing technical development projects, setting strategic goals, and resolving conflicts within teams to increase overall productivity and alignment. He has since specialized as a Software Designer and Database Developer, focusing on FileMaker development.

His expertise includes FileMaker Server, FMGo (mobile solutions), WebDirect, Cloud and Teams, as well as working with Claris and AWS, allowing him to deliver custom solutions across a variety of industries. Douglas has developed an impressive client base in a variety of industries, from manufacturing and real estate to fine arts, education and medicine, where he uses his technical skills to enhance business operations through customized database solutions. His certifications and in-depth experience in these platforms make him a sought-after developer in this field.

Douglas maintains a relatively private life, choosing to share little publicly and keeping a tight-knit circle of friends who have supported him through some of his most challenging times. She was reportedly in a relationship with James Freedland around 2015 but they are no longer together. Whether he was enjoying a night at the movies or capturing captivating moments with his camera lens, Douglas continued to nurture his creative side. He has become personally and professionally fulfilled and seems to have come a long way from the man he once was.