Rest in Peace: If you were escaping demons, here's hoping you are free

Dror Barak Dead at 38

2.27.2012

By Out.com Editors


Model and personal trainer reportedly dead from apparent suicide

According to reports on Facebook and Twitter, Dror Barak, aka Roman Ragazzi, has died of an apparent suicide on February 25 at the age of 38. Barak most recently appeared in a fashion story in the February issue of Out, titled "New York's Finest," photographed by Marcelo Krasilcic (pictured left).

The former Israeli military trainer was outed in 2007 by New York Post’s "Page Six" while working at the Israeli consulate, the ensuing scandal caused him to resign. Later that year, he started a personal training and fitness company called Freedom Fitness.

According to this blog, Raging Stallion head Chris Ward (who named Roman Ragazzi Raging Stallion’s Man of the Year in 2008) said, “He was probably the hottest man I have ever filmed—a massive man of pure beauty, intelligence and kindness. He was perfect in every possible way.”






This gentleman graced this Web Log in the past, mainly because he frequents the gym of a good friend. Well, Tom Bacchus [go here] has de-briefed "Roman Ragazzi" for all to see. Here's the whole story from Page Six (New York Post) ...



Israeli Aide Quits In Sex Flap

An Israeli consulate official quit his job Monday moments after Page Six asked him if he was involved in a gay porn site.

Dror Barak, a k a Roman Ragazzi, worked in the administrative offices of the Israeli consulate while moonlighting as a "model" and gay porn star.

In e-mails to an interested party looking to hire Barak for "modeling" work abroad, Barak - who at first identified himself as Ragazzi - said, "I am single. I work at the United Nations in New York. They don't know about my other job, and that's how it should stay."

Barak told the party, "I need to know that I am not wasting my time here. And this is for real. I will need you to purchase a ticket for me online with American Airlines."

Barak directed the source to messenger tickets to his office at the U.N.

The e-mails got more personal, and Barak wrote, "I am openly gay . . . just to put the record straight. I just started doing porn movies. None of my movies is out yet. I know you mention 'escort.' I never did escort, and I don't do it."

On Barak's page on bigmuscle.com (under the name gymscle), Barak writes, "I find focused, career-minded and successful individuals sexy."

On romanragazzi.com, "Roman" is decribed as, "beyond a shadow of any doubt, the sexiest, hairy, muscled stud to turn up in the porn world in years." After a gushing description of his genitals, the Web site urges, "Look for him in upcoming scenes."

When contacted by Page Six on Monday, Barak said, "I don't know [Roman Ragazzi]. I will call you back." Soon after, he left the consulate and tendered his resignation.

David Sarenga, the consulate's press rep, said, "[Barak] worked in the administrative offices for over a year before leaving our employ earlier this week. He was a local hire." Sarenga refused to go into the consulate's background-search policy.

Israel has been rocked by several recent scandals. Israeli President Moshe Katsav has been on leave of absence since August, when he was accused by more than five women of sexual harassment. In March, Israel recalled its ambassador to El Salvador, Tsuriel Raphael, after he was found two weeks earlier outside his residence tied up, gagged and drunk while wearing bondage equipment.

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