The hotelier boyfriend of Victoria’s Secret model Sara Sampaio has been cleared of attempting to swindle nearly $50,000 from American Express, Page Six has learned.
Posh Brit Oliver Ripley, 38, the co-founder of international hotel and hospitality group, Habitas, had all charges dropped at a Manhattan court Friday morning as he accepted a misdemeanor.
The Post reported that Eton-educated Ripley was charged in February for allegedly trying to rip off thousands of dollars from American Express by making a false claim.
However, we’re told that the whole thing was a misunderstanding and a “good deed gone wrong,” after Ripley agreed to help his ex-love, a Brazilian supermodel.
Although the pair were reported to be wed, we understand they never had an official ceremony. But even after they split, friends say that Ripley continued to support his ex financially.
The stunning brunette was left with a $48,000 tax bill after refinancing her Manhattan apartment, which Ripley agreed to put on his AmEx card – but he soon became concerned that she had left the country and wasn’t planning on paying the bill back — and reversed the charges.
After finding out that the charge had not been reversed back to her and AmEx was left holding the debt, he paid the bill in full. Despite this, several months later “amid a lack of communication,” according to sources close to Ripley, the police pressed charges against him – until the entirety of the situation was explained
He was then charged by the Manhattan District Attorney with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and falsifying business records.
His attorney Roger Stavis told Page Six: “Oliver voluntarily cooperated with a full and complete investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. All of the original charges brought against Oliver were dismissed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. In order to reach an agreement that would conclude the matter quickly, Oliver agreed to a resolution of reckless behavior.”
We understand this low-level misdemeanor will be expunged from Ripley’s permanent record in six months.
A spokesman for Ripley added: “He is grateful to the Prosecutors of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for recognizing this incident and for the grave misunderstanding that it really was and resolving the case in the fashion it did.”