Southampton man charged with impersonating former business partner to cancel $4,000 Aruba vacation
Travelers arrive in Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York earlier this year. Credit: Bloomberg/Michael Nagle
A Southampton man was charged with identity theft after he pretended to be his former business partner and canceled his vacation, costing the former partner more than $4,000, Suffolk police said.
On March 22, 2025, the alleged victim, a Moriches man, arrived at Kennedy Airport and was informed by airport staff that his prepaid vacation to Aruba had been canceled about three hours before departure, police said.
Following an investigation, detectives determined the man’s former business partner, Ronald Fisher, 42, had contacted the travel agency by phone and impersonated the man, using his personal information to cancel the trip and causing a loss of $4,202.
Fisher turned himself in at the Seventh Precinct and was charged with misdemeanor first-degree identity theft.
Fisher pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Central Islip. A judge issued a temporary order of protection and released him on his own recognizance.
His court-assigned criminal defense attorney could not be reached for comment.
Prosecutors said Fisher used the victim’s email address and personal information to cancel the prepaid vacation.
Fisher was involved in litigation with a former business partner, Jerry Smith, regarding their joint ownership of a Southampton business, Fisher Signs & Shirts.
Smith filed suit in June 2025 in state Supreme Court in Suffolk, claiming he was frozen out of the business and alleging Fisher canceled his health insurance 401(k) and withheld profits.
Smith’s Melville-based attorney, Matthew J. Barnes, said Thursday that Smith was the alleged victim in the identity theft case whose vacation was canceled.
"The fallout of the business partners is significant and these allegations occurred during the period of that fallout," Barnes said. "My client is trying to recoup his significant losses."
Fisher’s civil attorney in the case, Kenneth C. Murphy, said Thursday he was not familiar with the criminal charges and did not comment on the pending lawsuit
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 33: Boys lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Michael Sicoli discuss the boys lacrosse season and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 33: Boys lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Michael Sicoli discuss the boys lacrosse season and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
