A New Jersey man who was fired from his job as a service manager at a hot tub business is now facing criminal charges, accused of using his former employer’s customer information to defraud those same customers out of thousands of dollars, authorities say.
Richard S. Hentosh, 45, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, was charged in late 2025 after an investigation by the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division found he continued to solicit payments from customers of Half Price Hot Tubs after his employment ended.
Hentosh was employed by Half Price Hot Tubs as a service manager, where he handled service scheduling, managed contractors, and accepted payments for parts and repairs, according to Delaware County prosecutors.
According to a criminal complaint filed by investigators, Hentosh’s job performance was initially satisfactory, but complaints from customers and concerns about unusual behavior led to his dismissal on Sept. 19, 2025.
Management responded by immediately revoking his access to the company computer system and changing passwords.
Just four days later, however, the business began receiving complaints from customers who said they were being contacted by Hentosh directly, even though he was no longer employed there. Prosecutors say he accessed customer records without authorization, using that data to impersonate the company and schedule fake s e r v i c e appointments.
Investigators allege Hentosh created his own “service account” that gave him continued access to customer contact information and allowed him to send invoices, texts, and requests for payment.
One customer told detectives that on Sept. 19, Hentosh quoted him $121.50 for three headrests. When the customer asked to use his credit card on file with Half Price Hot Tubs, Hentosh later texted asking for updated credit card information and offered alternative payment options, including Apple Cash and Zelle, saying his “merchant account” wasn’t working — a detail that alarmed the customer.
On Sept. 22, that customer was charged $127.95 from Blue Haven Spa Service, and filed a fraud claim with his credit card company.
Other victims reported similar schemes, with invoices sent for bogus service contracts — including at least two for $1,490 — complete with QR codes to solicit payment. Another victim said she paid $585 for parts and labor that never materialized, and a separate customer paid nearly $5,000 for two fraudulent service contracts after being told the first one hadn’t processed.
Detectives identified 12 victims who told similar stories of payments made to Hentosh after his termination, for a total of $16,217 collected under false pretenses.
The charges Hentosh now faces include theft, receiving stolen property, criminal use of a communications facility, and deceptive business practices.
On Oct. 10, 2025, Delaware County detectives, assisted by Logan Township police, executed a search warrant at Hentosh’s home and seized electronic devices thought to contain evidence of the alleged scheme.
Hentosh was arraigned on Jan. 21, 2026, before District Judge Georgia L. Stone, who set his bail at $100,000 unsecured. He was scheduled to appear before District Judge George Dawson on Feb. 2 for a preliminary hearing.
At press time, no civil lawsuits have been publicly filed by the victims, though the ongoing criminal investigation and potential restitution could lead to additional legal actions. Prosecutors and police are continuing to pursue the case.
The criminal case is being handled by the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division. If convicted, Hentosh could face significant penalties under New Jersey law for theft and fraud-related offenses.
