By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
SDNY MAG COURT EXCLUSIVE, May 9 - In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on December 28, 2022 a guilty plea was taken by Magistrate Judge Kathleen H. Parker from a man charged with blackmailing a "prominent health care provider whose practice is located in Manhattan and Chicago."
Luca Trippitelli, the defendant, had a romantic relationship with the health care provider until November 2019.
When it ended, the blackmail began. According to the complaint, Trippitelli demanded payment for his new apartment, his cell phone service and utilities or he would ruin the health care provider's business and marriage. In July 2021 he added the demand for $5000 a month.
All told, Trippitelli extorted at least $130,000 from the health care provider.
Inner City Press was present in the morning as the only media in the Mag Court. Related Mag Court live-tweeted thread (more on Patreon here) vlog here
Now on the guilty plea - to a reduced / stripped down charge in a new Information, threatening to portray the health care provider as wrongfully disclosing individually identifiable health care information in violation of 42 USC 1320d-6 - Trippitelli has a sentencing submission due on May 5, for a May 9 sentencing not before a District Judge, but Magistrate Judge Parker.
On May 3, Trippitelli's Federal Defender wrote to Judge Parker asking for a non custodial sentencing, quoting Trippitelli that "[REDACTED] and I were once very much in love and I am truly story for the harm I caused him."
On May 5, the US Attorney's Office wrote to Judge Parker asking for a sentence of three months.
On May 9, Magistrate Judge Parker sentenced Trippitelli to 60 days in prison: "Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker: Sentencing held on 5/9/2023 for Luca Trippitelli (1) Count 1. Defendant appeared in courtroom 17D...Victim Impact Statement by Daniel Alonso. Sentencing for guilty plea to Count One of the Misdemeanor Information that was taken by Judge Parker on 12/28/2022. Defendant sentenced to 60 days imprisonment /one year supervised release /75 hours community service / $25.00 special assessment/ $131,049 restitution paid to the victim through the court. Defendant shall report to the prison to which he his assigned within 60 days - 07/10/2023 Probation will notify the Defendant of the facility to which he is to report."
More on this case, & Trippitelli, on Patreon here
The case is US v. Trippitelli, 22-cr-707 (Parker)
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