Mark Ripolone, 35, of Montauk, was arraigned in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, May 3, on charges of grand larceny and identity theft.
He is the owner of meal delivery service 123 Delivery and a beach services company called Hampton Management Group that provides luxury beach chair arrangements and decorations for special events.
According to investigators, between September 2018 and October 2021, Ripolone stole approximately $223,000 from several customers of “123 Express” after obtaining their bank account information.
He then used the information to make automated clearing house (ACH) withdrawals from their accounts and used the money to pay for personal expenses such as mortgages and Verizon phone bills, prosecutors said.
Ripolone is also accused of stealing another $160,000 from a payroll firm he contracted for Hampton Management Group.
Even though he did not have the funds to repay the payroll company, he transferred the payroll to his personal bank account, according to prosecutors.
Ribolone was arrested following a joint investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the East Hampton and Sag Harbor Police Departments and New York State Police.
“This defendant allegedly financially exploited his clients and a payroll company by stealing money to support his lifestyle,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
“My office will continue to prosecute white-collar theft and those who attempt to fraudulently steal from their fellow citizens.”
In court on Wednesday, Ripolone was arraigned on the following felony charges:
- Three counts of second-degree grand theft
- Two counts of larceny in the third degree
- Four counts of first-degree identity theft
After arraignment, he was released on self-recognizance as the charges were not eligible for bail. He will return to court on Friday, June 16.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office asks anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Ripolone to contact the agency at 631-853-5602.
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