Saks Saleswoman Gets Fine, Jail, Community Service
Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 | Updated 7:38 AM EST
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There's a big difference between Saks and the Big House.
A former Saks Fifth Avenue jewelry saleswoman has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and 100 hours of community service after being convicted of stealing from the luxury goods store. The diamond-hawker was also fined $96,000 for cheating on her commissions.
Cecille Villacorta, who's 52, was told to surrender Aug. 10. She was convicted of larceny in March and faced up to seven years in prison.
Despite yesterday's sentence, Villacorta left court feeling quite pleased, according to The New York Post. Prosecutors had wanted her to spend at least two years behind bars.
"It is very much a victory," Villacorta said.
Prosecutor David Nasar says Villacorta's scheme included refunds on items customers never bought or returned, and giving clients unauthorized discounts.
Nasar says this kept customers happy and allowed Villacorta to ring up $27 million in sales and collect hundreds of thousands in bonuses from 2000 to 2006. He says Saks lost $1.4 million in the scheme.
Jurors acquitted Villacorta of stealing $1 million from the megastore after she claimed Saks OK'd those types of behaviors because its policy is "keep the customer happy," according to the Post.
Defense lawyer Joseph Tacopina says his client will appeal immediately.
