90 Day Fiancé’s Ben Rathbun Charged With Embezzlement Years After Job Termination
90 Day Fiancé’s Ben Rathbun Charged With Embezzlement Years After Job Termination.
Ben Rathbun, a star from 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, has been arrested and charged with embezzling between $1,000 and $20,000 from a charitable organization.
He is accused of stealing funds from the Michigan Lupus Foundation, where he was employed until his termination in March 2022. The 55-year-old was arraigned on Monday, November 25, and was released from jail the following day after posting a $10,000 bond, according to online records.
His legal proceedings will move forward with a probable cause hearing scheduled for December 9. The news was first reported by the 90 Day Fiancé blog, Shabooty.com. The alleged offense took place in October 2018. Reports indicate that Ben had been “hiding out in Peru” with his wife, Mahogany Roca, and was arrested upon returning to the U.S. when his passport was flagged, as noted by Shabooty.
The Michigan Lupus Foundation announced on March 30, 2022, that Ben was no longer with the organization, stating on Facebook, “Effective immediately, Ben Rathbun is no longer an employee.” In response to the situation, Ben has been quoted as saying, “firing will serve to humble me and allow greater growth in me as a person.” He added, “Anything that would distract us from accomplishing the mission of our charity should be dealt with appropriately. I had become a major distraction, and I know this process, while painful, is the best course of action. This will eventually lead me to another place of service that I can use my talents to help people.”
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Ben's recent legal troubles have come to light after Lawyer Monthly reported on Monday, November 25, that the TLC star was arrested on November 22 in Macomb County, Michigan, for not paying child support. Prior to his marriage to Mahogany, Ben had gone through a divorce and has four children.
Following his arrest for child support issues, he was found in civil contempt. According to Cornell Law, “Civil contempt of court refers to disobedience of an order of the court which carries quasi-criminal penalties rather than direct criminal penalties. The aim of civil contempt charges is to encourage compliance with court orders. Unlike other civil penalties, civil contempt can lead to jail time.” In February,
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Ben shared on 90 Day Diaries that he and Mahogany had tied the knot. He expressed, “Our civil ceremony was just brilliant. I could not believe how beautiful it was.” He added that they were still planning a religious ceremony to make it official. At that time, Mahogany was residing in Peru while Ben was in Michigan. The couple initially connected through social media and maintained a long-distance relationship for several months before finally meeting face-to-face. Although she stood him up during their first meeting, which fueled his family's doubts about her authenticity, they eventually overcame their challenges and remained together.
Ben Rathbun’s recent legal troubles have brought a tumultuous chapter of his life into public view. From allegations of embezzlement at the Michigan Lupus Foundation to his arrest for unpaid child support, the former 90 Day Fiancé star now faces significant legal and personal challenges. While he has expressed hope for personal growth and redemption, his current circumstances highlight the difficulties of maintaining public image and personal accountability. As he prepares for upcoming court appearances, fans and followers of his reality TV journey will be watching closely to see how this story unfolds and what the future holds for Rathbun.