Tiffany & Co Exec Faces Charges for $1.3 Million In Stolen Jewels Ms. Bels Wednesday, July 3, 2013 The Receipt You got to keep a close eye on these women as much as you do men these days. SMH A story hit the internet today regarding Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun and charges filed against her by her former employer, Tiffany & Co. is one of the premiere jewelry companies known for their pricey diamond, 14K gold, and silver jewelry pieces. Well, according to reports, Mrs. Okun is being charged for the unauthorized sale of $1.3 million worth of jewels. The former Vice President of Design & Product Development apparently carried out the illustrious scheme from 2011 to early 2013. Federal prosecutors claims that through Mrs. Okun’s job responsibilities she was able to steal 165 items (which included diamond bracelets, gold and silver earrings) and sell them on the black market. The stolen pieces were sold, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, to a New York jewelry seller. The seller would then pay Okun’s husband or a close friend so that the transaction could not be traced back to her. Okun was fired from her position in February and was told that the company was downsizing. During the interim, the FBI was called in to investigate. Okun was finally arrested Tuesday, June 2 at her home in Darien, Connecticut. She’s been charged with one count of wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property. Okun could face up to 30 years in prison.
