Celebrity credit card scammer gets house arrest
After a lengthy credit card scam that cost stars including Jennifer Aniston, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway and Cher over $300,000 all told, Beverly Hills salon owner Maria Gabriella Hashemipour was sentenced late yesterday to nine months of home confinement.
Hashemipour, 52, was arrested last August when Liv Tyler told police two of her American Express cards had been charged a total of $214,000 by the defendant between June and November of 2009.
“I’m extremely sorry for what I have done,” the ‘Chez Gabriela’ studio owner told the Judge.
The court was told most of the charges were billed by Hashemipour entering the card numbers herself, not by swiping a card – thus proving the numbers were stolen. Her salon’s website even carried testimonials from clients such as Aniston and Cher – all of whose cards she abused.
Prosecutors told the court they had numerous emails from the defendant which proved the scheme, but Hashemipour seems to have got off pretty easy – Apart from house arrest she got five years probation and must also do 3,000 hours of community service.
“My client intends to continue to provide the gift of beauty that she always has,” her lawyer, Nina Marino told reporters outside the court. “She will comply with all the court’s orders.”
The court also imposed one other condition for which Hashemipour might need a new card – She must repay all her victims. In full. But the hearing to determine how that will be done was delayed until October 17.
Oh, and on the way out of court her lawyer also reminded Hashemipour she owes money for the legal bill too.
Source: Daily News
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Celebrity credit card scammer gets house arrest