Warren Farrar, a 55-year-old New York City lawyer, was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly poisoning his rival, John McLaughlin, a 25-year-old real estate investor from Manhattan. The rivals have been battling for a year over a prime piece of real estate. 
On Tuesday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced charges against Farrar, alleging he hired a private investigator to tamper with the water supply to McLaughlin’s apartment in an attempt to feminize the younger man. The investigator, Alfonso Pascarella, was also arrested and is reportedly cooperating with the authorities in the case. 
According to the criminal complaint, Farrar hired Pascarella to install an “injection system” to pump estrogen into McLaughlin’s water pipes. The plan was reportedly successful, and McLaughlin began to experience various symptoms, including a loss in muscle mass, breast development, testicular shrinkage, and erectile dysfunction. 
McLaughlin was so alarmed by his symptoms he sought treatment from doctors, who were initially confused by his symptoms. “They thought he was making it all up,” McLaughlin’s attorney, Jason A. Vels, told the New York Times. “The poor man’s got breasts bigger than my wife’s, but they think he’s doing it to himself like he’s some sort of exhibitionist.” 
Eventually, McLaughlin complained to the New York City Health Department, which found the estrogen in his water supply and investigated the incident. 
Unfortunately for McLaughlin, doctors say his feminization is irreversible. “He was chemically castrated,” Vels told the New York Post. “He’s talked about breast reduction surgery, but we’re not making any moves until both the lawsuit and the criminal case are over.” 
Asked whether Mr. McLaughlin will appear in court as a woman, Mr. Vels said, “Yeah. I mean, that’s what he is now. That’s what Mr. Farrar did to him, and we’re going to show the jury the evidence.”