A Florida-based private jet charter company has filed a lawsuit against an individual for allegedly using a stolen credit card to pay for multiple high-value flights. Jet Genius Florida Holdings, Inc., doing business as Charter Flight Group, filed the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida on September 13, 2024, against Joseph A. Dipascale.
According to the court documents, Jet Genius alleges that Dipascale used a stolen Visa credit card belonging to Pauly Giorgiadis to pay for two separate private jet charters. The first incident occurred on February 18, 2024, when Dipascale booked a flight from Atlantic City International Airport to Westerly State Airport for himself and another passenger. The total cost of this flight was $7,054.74. Digital records show that Dipascale agreed to the company's terms and conditions and used the stolen card to make the payment.
The second incident took place on April 30, 2024, when Dipascale booked another charter for himself and seven companions from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas. This round-trip flight cost $27,823.95 and was also paid using Giorgiadis' stolen Visa card. Both flights were completed as scheduled.
Jet Genius claims that it only became aware of the fraudulent transactions after Giorgiadis contacted them and initiated chargebacks with his credit card issuer. As a result, Jet Genius lost a total of $34,878.69 for both flights. The plaintiff asserts that Dipascale knowingly committed access device fraud under 18 U.S.C. §1029 by using a stolen credit card without authorization.
In addition to access device fraud, Jet Genius accuses Dipascale of theft under section 812.014(1) of Florida Statutes. They argue that he obtained their services through fraudulent means with criminal intent to deprive them of their value permanently or temporarily.
Jet Genius sent a Pre-Suit Civil Theft Notice and Demand to Dipascale on August 6, 2024, seeking immediate payment of $104,636.07—three times the actual damages sustained as permitted under section 772.11 of Florida Statutes—plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in bringing this action. Despite successful delivery via email and Federal Express on August 8 and August 13 respectively, Dipascale failed to respond.
The plaintiff is now seeking treble damages amounting to $104,636.07 along with attorneys’ fees and costs from the court due to Dipascale's non-compliance with their demand notice.
Representing Jet Genius are attorneys Brad F. Barrios from Turkel Cuva Barrios P.A., based in Tampa, FL., and Bradley O. Cebeci from Rome LLP in Los Angeles, CA. The Case ID is: 502024CA008787XXXAMB Div: AG.