A New York judge has ruled that a male escort may keep nearly $6 million paid to him by a widow who accused him of fraud and coercion. The decision stems from a legal dispute between Marianne Flippo, 49, a widow from New York City, and Greggory Starr, 38, a male escort she met through the service Cowboys 4 Angels.

Flippo, the widow of Roblox software creator Chad Flippo who passed away in August 2024, filed the lawsuit alleging that Starr manipulated her into opening a joint bank account and then transferred over $1 million to an offshore account in the Middle East. She claimed Starr and the escort service siphoned off millions during their two-year relationship, which began after their introduction through the escort agency.

Starr, however, characterized the relationship as one based on genuine affection, describing it as “true love” and stating that discussions of marriage took place. His legal team denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the movement of funds between accounts in Starr’s name was legitimate and not an attempt to conceal assets. They also maintained that Starr’s travel to Dubai was part of an overseas vacation, contrary to claims that he had fled.

In a two-page ruling issued last week, Supreme Court Justice Lyle Frank rejected Flippo’s claims, concluding that she “failed to establish entitlement to the relief sought” and did not show “irreparable harm.” The judge noted that audio recordings submitted as evidence appeared to show Flippo’s voluntary understanding and acceptance of the agreements involved.

Flippo’s attorney, Larry Hutcher, had argued at a recent court hearing that Starr acted fraudulently and misappropriated her funds. Yet the court found insufficient proof of coercion or fraud, instead upholding the original contract between the parties.

Starr’s lawyers, Jeremy Feigenbaum and Todd Spodek, praised the ruling, emphasizing that suspicion alone cannot replace concrete evidence and affirming the legitimacy of the contractual relationship. They stated that a subsequent change of heart by Flippo does not invalidate the agreement or the financial transactions between the two consenting adults.

The case highlights the complex legal issues that can arise from private financial arrangements within personal relationships, particularly those involving significant sums and parties engaged through commercial escort services.