The Man Who Pretended to be Rich and Powerful

Ryan Hemphill, a 43-year-old man, is accused of serious crimes against six women. He built a fake image of wealth and power to lure these women. He used this image to scare them into silence. He claimed he had deep connections in law enforcement and organized crime. He told them that going to the authorities would be useless. He said he would never be held accountable. He said he was untouchable. Hemphill portrayed himself as a successful businessman. He claimed to own a private equity firm and a nonprofit. He also claimed to have worked at the United Nations. He had three personal websites and a LinkedIn profile. He boasted about his supposed clients, including a fashion label and a real estate developer. But his claims were not true. The private equity firm he claimed to own was actually based in Seattle, not New York. The firm's principal said he did not know Hemphill. The U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission did not list Hemphill or any companies associated with his name. Hemphill's supposed success was a lie. Hemphill also claimed to have founded an online car auction site, the MB Market. A spokesperson for the MB Market said Hemphill was an early investor. But they did not consider him a founder. Hemphill sued the founders of the MB Market for trying to sell the company without his knowledge. He sent threatening text messages to one of the co-founders. He insinuated that he knew the former head of the Federal Trade Commission. He threatened to use this connection to punish the co-founders. Hemphill and the co-founders settled the lawsuit. Hemphill sold his share of the company.

Hemphill's history with the United Nations is also questionable. The United Nations said they had no record of him ever being a staff member. They said it was possible he worked as a consultant. But they cast doubt on his claims. Hemphill's law degree from Hofstra University is verified. But other aspects of his resume remain unverified. Hemphill met several of the six women he is accused of torturing and raping online. He offered them large sums of money in exchange for sex and companionship. But he often did not pay them the agreed-upon amounts. He sometimes paid them with fake money. Prosecutors allege Hemphill recorded the sex acts and torture. He allegedly punched, waterboarded, urinated on, and used shock collars and cattle prods to harm the women. Prosecutors believe there may be more survivors. They say dozens, if not hundreds, of women are captured on that footage. Hemphill's fake image of wealth and power was a tool for manipulation. He used it to control and intimidate women. He told them he was untouchable. But the indictment makes clear that he was wrong. His lies and manipulation will not protect him from the consequences of his actions. His fake image of wealth and power will not save him from justice.

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