Posted on 01/21/2011 11:06:23 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Maria Gabriela Hashemipour, 51, agreed to plead guilty to one count of access device fraud as part of a deal in which federal prosecutors will drop 40 other counts.
Two of actress Liv Tyler's credit cards had about $214,000 (£134,000) in fraudulent charges from the beauty salon over a five-month period last year, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
Prosecutors declined to release names of other victims but, according to the New York Post, thousands of dollars in charges were also made to actresses Anne Hathaway, Melanie Griffith, Penelope Cruz and Cher.
Hashemipour may also face a fine of up to $250,000 (£156,000) and must pay full restitution to her clients.
She could also be deported. The indictment filed against her said she was born in Mexico, not in Spain as she had claimed, and she had fraudulently obtained a US passport.
"My client accepts full responsibility for the mistakes she has made, despite the fact that her actions caused minimal if any actual monetary loss," said defence lawyer Nina Marino.
Hashemipour was arrested in August at her business, Chez Gabriela Studio in Beverly Hills. Her website said her clientele also includes Jennifer Aniston and Halle Berry.
The case came to the attention of investigators after a lawyer for jewel designer Loree Rodkin's said about $68,000 (£43,000) had been charged to her credit card from Hashemipour's studio without her authorisation.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
At least she scammed people who could afford the loses.
Bet it took them quite awhile to figure it out.
Isn’t Anne Hathaway the one who will only date men who stole more than $50 million.
“”My client accepts full responsibility for the mistakes she has made, despite the fact that her actions caused minimal if any actual monetary loss,” said defence lawyer Nina Marino. “
Your client didn’t “make mistakes”; she committed crimes.
Right!
The lead-in for the article states: "The owner of a Beverly Hills beauty salon is facing up to 10 years in jail after agreeing to plead guilty to making up to $1 million (£630,000) worth of fraudulent charges to the credit cards of celebrity clients."
I wonder why they’re dropping 40 counts!
Are these celebs too embarrassed or too busy to demand justice?
Wouldn’t doubt it’s because she’s an illegal.
I’d say just deport her but, she would undoubtedly be back in a flash.
Does it matter that those she stole from have more money? It is still theft -
Minimal? One million dollars is minimal loss?
TTIWWP
And, yes, it obviously theft/stealing.
They don’t wanna be called “RACIST!” for pursuing charges against this “immigrant” who was “only striving for a better way of life....the American dream.”
You're right. Here's a picture of some other (likely) illegal aliens.
Embarrassed. $200,000 in 5 months to a hair salon? The credit card companies are the ones who will probably take the hit. If so the celebs have nothing to gain by looking like ultra vain dupes.
Celebrity Testimony: “Yes your honor, I had no idea $200,000 was charged to my card, my business manager takes care of those things”.
Business Manager Testimony: “I have many clients who spend $500,000 a year in hairdressing services, so I was not at all suspicious about these charges. In fact, I called the manager for Celebrity XYZ and he said her client spent similar amounts in the same salon!”.
Well it is their money to spend, right? And yes, they probably have folks paying their bills who should have noticed immediately and let them know. I still don’t understand how her attorney claims no money was actually stolen?
Or, Sarah Palin and Conservative Talk Radio made her do it.
Wow! What a great country America is!
You can be an illegal alien with a fake passport and STILL open a legitimate business in Beverly Hills.
Thanks guys.
Didn’t she shoot Selena?
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