Judge Rules Male Escort Can Keep $6 Million from Roblox Widow
A New York judge has ruled that a male escort is permitted to retain $6 million he received from a widow, stating she understood the nature of their arrangement.
A New York judge has ruled that a male escort can keep approximately $6 million he received from a wealthy widow, determining that she was aware of the nature of their financial transactions. The decision by Supreme Court Justice Lyle Frank means Marianne Flippo, 49, will not be able to recoup the funds she provided to Greggory Starr.
Flippo, the widow of Chad Flippo, the inventor of the popular game "Roblox," who died in August 2024, had sued Starr, claiming he coerced her into opening a joint bank account and subsequently scammed her out of the substantial sum. She alleged that Starr, whom she met through an escort service, transferred over $1 million to an overseas account.
However, Justice Frank's ruling stated that Flippo "failed to establish entitlement to the relief sought" and "failed to demonstrate irreparable harm." The judge noted that the court had access to audio recordings that appeared to show Flippo knowingly and willingly acknowledging the contents of their agreement. "The allegations in the complaint involve a contract, to which defendants have submitted audio recordings of what appears to be plaintiff’s knowing and willing acknowledgement of the contents thereof," the ruling stated.
Starr, who reportedly underwent extensive plastic surgery to enhance his appearance, had claimed in court documents that their relationship was one of true love and that they had discussed marriage. Flippo, in her legal filings, expressed regret, stating, "I now realize I was foolish." Her attorney, Larry Hutcher, had previously informed the court that Starr had fled to Dubai with the money, a claim Starr's legal team refuted, characterizing it as an overseas vacation.
Attorneys for Starr, Jeremy Feigenbaum and Todd Spodek, praised the judge's decision. "The ruling confirms what we have said from the outset: moving funds between accounts bearing Greg’s own name is not concealment, and suspicion is not a substitute for evidence," they stated. "Two consenting adults entered into a bona fide agreement, and a later change of heart does not erase the legitimacy of either the relationship or the contract."