Before his arrest for torturing and raping six women in his Manhattan apartment, Ryan Hemphill presented himself as a successful entrepreneur and lawyer. At 43, he showcased a law degree, MBA, and roles with a private equity firm and a nonprofit on his three personal websites and LinkedIn profile. However, New York prosecutors charged him with 116 counts, including rape, predatory sexual assault, and bribery, asserting that he used his perceived wealth and connections to prey upon women.
Prosecutors allege Hemphill told victims he had powerful contacts in law enforcement and organized crime, convincing them that reporting him would be futile. Yet, investigations revealed that his success was largely fictitious. His claimed private equity firm, Madison Park Capital Advisors, appears to be linked to a Seattle-based entity that has no record of him as an employee or founder. Former associates expressed skepticism about Hemphill’s financial claims, noting he often complained about his finances.
Another venture, MB Market, an online car auction site, confirmed Hemphill was an early investor but not a founder and stated he had been distanced from the company. Hemphill’s aggressive behavior extended to attempts to threaten the company’s founders over a sale, indicating a pattern of leveraging supposed connections for intimidation.
The allegations against Hemphill also include severe abuse during sexual encounters, with prosecutors stating that recordings may show more victims, potentially numbering in the hundreds. He allegedly used tactics such as physical violence and threats to maintain control over his victims, creating a facade of untouchability that authorities are now challenging. Hemphill pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains a subject of ongoing investigation.
