‘He’s asset-stripping the marital estate’: Wife of NYC millionaire suspects hidden funds during divorce, husband claims she drained his fortune — who really wins when a divorce drags on?

“He’s asset-stripping the marital estate,” Stephanie told The Post in an exclusive interview.

Stephanie questioned John’s financial struggles, pointing out his indulgent habits. According to Stephanie, the 82-year-old has been flying between Florida and New York for high-end beauty treatments, including Botox, hair dyeing and manicures.

According to The Post, Stephanie's lawyer, BriAnne Copp, reinforced her skepticism during a recent hearing stating, “While he’s lived a fabulous lifestyle for the last 60 years, now that he’s embroiled in a divorce, now he’s suddenly $12 million in debt.”

As the couple’s legal battle continues to unfold, whether John is hiding assets — and what Stephanie is ultimately entitled to — remains unresolved. But their ongoing disagreement sure is costing them.

Debt or deception?

In June, Copp alleged that John had been manipulating his finances since the start of the divorce proceeding to avoid having part of his money go to his wife, Stephanie. This accusation came after Stephanie allegedly discovered a text in John’s phone stating his intention to claim he was in debt and leave her penniless after the divorce.

But John’s assets don’t paint a picture of someone in debt. Take, for example, as Copp alleges, his Texas ranch and Gulfstream IV-SP jet. More recently, Copp claims John purchased an $800,000 Hinckley yacht and deposited over $3 million into his account within the last year.

But if John is in debt, what would that mean for Stephanie?

Debt division in divorce can depend on the type of debt and whether it was accrued before or during the marriage, or after the date of separation, depending on the state. A court may also factor in equitable distributions of liabilities according to state law.

However, if John is fabricating his financial struggles, the consequences could be severe. State laws typically require spouses to exchange detailed information about their financial assets. As part of the discovery process, a spouse could even hire a forensic accountant who specializes in tracing hidden funds.