BERLIN – The co-founder of a local restaurant management company issued a statement this week apologizing to the community for his “terrible mistake” in the days following a local teen’s death.
“In the days following the devastating and sudden loss of Gavin Knupp, I made a terrible mistake by blindly and publicly advocating for my long-term business partner, Ralph DeAngelus,” said Matt Ortt Companies co-founder Matt Ortt. “I issued a supportive written statement that was based solely on my trust in Mr. DeAngelus without contemplating the deep-seated pain my stance would cause. My actions were insensitive, inappropriate and showed very poor judgement. In hindsight, I should have waited until independently verified investigative facts were available before offering an opinion. I deeply apologize and regret my actions. I have always, and very firmly believed, that anyone who is directly involved in, or who has any information about the accident, should immediately come forward and communicate what they know to authorities. There is nothing more important than full disclosure and accountability.”
Charges have not yet been filed in the death of Ocean Pines resident Gavin Knupp, 14, who was a pedestrian returning to a vehicle driven by his sister on Grays Corner Road July 11 when he was struck by a black 2011 Mercedes traveling east bound. He would die soon after the 10:45 p.m. collision at Atlantic General Hospital. Though the driver of the Mercedes has reportedly been identified as a suspect of interest, there has been no official information presented confirming police know the motorist’s whereabouts. Six days after the collision, the Mercedes involved in the fatal hit-and-run was seized from a home in Ocean Reef in West Ocean City for processing. Maryland State Police confirmed last month the investigation remains “active.”
Ortt’s personal statement refers to a statement of support for DeAngelus he released in July that drew immediate fire from the Knupp family and supporters. All restaurants linked to the company were immediately inundated with social media blasts. The online criticism has now spilled over to protests last month outside Ortt Companies-operated restaurants like Coastal Smokehouse in West Ocean City and Coastal Salt and the Rum Shack in Ocean City. At the Rum Shack protest two weeks ago, DeAngelus had several conversations with protestors, leading Tiffany Knupp to post a picture of DeAngelus with a Facebook message, “Ralph, Did you walk by children while they were visibly crying over the death of their friend? You … piece of … You walked by everyone including [Gavin’s father] Ray just to through your weight around! You mocked us..Ralph my son is dead.”
In addition to his personal apology, Ortt announced Monday in a press release the company “has completely divested and removed Ralph DeAngelus from the organization, effective immediately. Mr. DeAngelus was formerly one of the organization’s Members.”
Well, interesting turn of events. Now that Ralph has been divested and booted out, as are his girlfriend and her son, I wonder if Ralph’s attorney has advised him to come clean yet.
Too late, Matt Ortt!
ralph deangelus knows what happened and knows where the kid is. He is guilty of conspiracy to aid and conceal a manslaughter, preferably a homicide suspect. Money should not be a factor in this case.
Money, eh? If I had the money I’d have a bounty hunter drag that kid and his mom right back here from Mexico, and dump them at the front door of the State Police in Berlin.
That initial statement was mindless I don’t know how you don’t realize the impact of that statement. Dumb as all hell. I did hear that their businesses are hurtin bad though because of this. I know someone who used to work at coastal smokehouse, who said that management is telling employees to park in the front near 50 to give the look that it’s more busy than it actually is
6:45 pm – I have no idea if what you have heard is true or not, but given the truly stupid statement Matt Ortt made (did you talk to an attorney first? If so, who did you talk to so I know to never go to that person for any advice ever!), along with the poor attempt to turn it all around just shows what a bubble these people think they are in.
This is only a guess, but I’m guessing that it’s about to get really hot in the kitchen, and Ortt is just trying to get clear before the charges (and the eventual lawsuit) hit.
Tick, tick, tick.
I’ve never been to any of the restaurants owned by them, and never plan on going. Too little, too late.
You dug your grave Ortt!! I hope your businesses goes bankrupt and you have many sleepless nights for supporting these cowards.