Robert P. Rubicco: Criminal, Liar, Fraud, Daycare Operator: Table of Contents
STAMFORD, CT (January 15, 2026) — A Darien woman prevailed in small claims court against a Norwalk daycare center, securing a 2021 court order to return her $2,340 security deposit plus interests and costs after the defendant failed to appear at trial.
Karla Schimmeck, of Darien, CT filed the action in Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk, at Stamford, under docket number FST-CV21-6050927-S. The primary defendant was Anna and Jacks Treehouse Daycare Center, LLC, located at 770 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk, CT, with a related entity identified as 770 Treehouse LLC. Rob Rubicco was noted as a principal or representative of the defendant.
Rob Rubicco has refused to return the deposit or pay the judgement over the past five years.
Rubicco claimed to be represented by an attorney communicating through a Gmail account negotiating with Schimmeck. There is no record of any such lawyer or any lawyer using that email address.
The dispute centered on a contract for summer 2020 daycare services for two foster children in Schimmeck’s care. Schimmeck paid a security deposit of $2,340, which was intended as payment for the last month of services. The daycare charged $1,200 per child per month for three days per week, with some court exhibits showing weekly rates of $1,200 and $1,140 for the two children.
Schimmeck testified that the daycare attempted to increase fees after learning payments would come from out-of-state foster care offices. When she did not agree to the increase, the children’s attendance was terminated.
The Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit was filed around March 2021. Service on Anna and Jacks Treehouse Daycare Center, LLC was completed via UPS Ground with delivery confirmation on March 18, 2021. An additional filing targeting 770 Treehouse LLC was served via UPS on April 13, 2021.
The defendant filed an answer denying the claim, asserting that Schimmeck violated the contract, and counterclaimed for approximately $4,499.99 alleging “false claims” by the plaintiff. Schimmeck denied the counterclaim.
The case proceeded to a remote trial on August 2, 2021. Schimmeck appeared and testified. Neither Rob Rubicco nor any representative of the defendant appeared.
In a Memorandum of Decision dated August 3, 2021, Judge Trial Referee Tagart D. Adams ruled in favor of the plaintiff, finding Schimmeck generally credible. The court noted that her testimony on monthly rates was not fully aligned with exhibits but confirmed the deposit represented one month’s fees at $2,340. No evidence supported the defendant’s counterclaim allegations of “false claims,” as no representative appeared to substantiate them.
Schimmeck was awarded the return of the $2,340 security deposit, one year’s interest at 6%, and costs. The decision was entered accordingly.
There is no record in the Connecticut Judicial Branch docket indicating that Karla Schimmeck actually received the $2,340 security deposit back. The August 3, 2021, court decision awarded her the deposit plus one year’s interest at 6% and costs, but there are no subsequent filings, docket entries, or mentions of judgment satisfaction, execution, or payment confirmation.
Schimmeck confirmed to Talk of the Sound that Rubicco never paid the 2021 judgement.
In an amendment to her original complaint, Schimmeck placed the word “attorney” in quotation marks.
In an email exchange, Rob Rubicco identifies “Lance Orbe” as “our attorney”. There is a reply from a Gmail account “lance.orbe@gmail.com”.
Searches across legal directories, bar admission databases, professional profiles (including LinkedIn), court records, and general web results show no public records or credible sources that indicate that Lance Orbe is a licensed lawyer or attorney. Searches for the exact email address “lance.orbe@gmail.com” yield no matches on the open web, professional directories, legal databases, or public profiles. It does not appear in connection to any law practice, attorney listings, court records, or business affiliations.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.