As far as I can tell, she wasn't throwing real money around - she was throwing fake money around.
The way I see it this isn't a financial scandal, just a classic tacky but very normal way "nouveau riche" Eastern Europeans shamelessly - and boorishly - flaunt their new found (ahem) wealth. "I am reech! I am reeechh!!! And you, dahhlling, are not!"
I have witnessed this type of posturing by such people. It is truly embarrassing, pathetic and cringeworthy.