Richard Murtaugh, 81, and Gail Murtaugh, 77, of Naples, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with a scheme to steal and sell merchandise from Southwest Florida retailers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida announced.
According to the plea agreement, the Murtaughs began their plan in September 2020, targeting big-box retailers and grocery stores in Collier and Lee counties.
They stole various items, which they then sold through their eBay store, “dickandgail,” making the online platform the primary outlet for the stolen goods.
The plea agreement further detailed that in 2021 and 2022, the couple was captured on store surveillance video stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of personal hygiene products, grooming supplies, nicotine products, dental care items, over-the-counter medications, and other merchandise from several Southwest Florida retailers.
eBay records, cited in the plea agreement, showed that between December 2020 and May 2022, the Murtaughs made $175,621.31 in profits from selling the stolen items.