Former Saks saleswoman convicted in $48,000 theft

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Former Saks saleswoman convicted in $48,000 theft

March 10, 2009

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The $1M 'ice' breaker

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New York--The New York Daily News is reporting that a former saleswoman at Saks Fifth Avenue was acquitted on Monday of stealing $1.4 million from the upscale Fifth Avenue department store, but convicted of a lesser count of pocketing $48,000 in commissions from bogus sales.

According to the Daily News, Cecille Villacorta, who ranked as Saks' top saleswoman before she was fired, ringing up $27 million in jewelry sales between 2000 and 2006, ran an elaborate six-year scheme to funnel cash to her best jewelry customers.

The Manhattan jury acquitted Villacorta on charges of grand larceny, which carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison, and more than 100 lesser counts charging that she stole $1.4 million ringing up fake sales and returns for more than 200 customers and then gave the money to customers as credit-card rebates to build good will, the Daily News reports.

However, the jury found her guilty of pocketing the $48,000 in commissions from the fake sales.

The Daily News reports that the 57-year-old Villacorta faces up to seven years in prison. However, her attorney, Joseph Tacopina, said she would likely get probation and also said he would appeal the case, according to the Daily News.

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