Federal authorities in New York have accused a former executive with Tiffany & Co. of stealing more than $1 million in jewelry from her former employer.
Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, 46, was arrested on Tuesday at her home in Darien, Conn.
Prosecutors allege that Lederhaas-Okun used her position at Tiffany to borrow about 165 pieces of jewelry, including diamond bracelets, platinum or gold diamond drop and hoop earrings, platinum diamond rings, and platinum and diamond pendants, claiming she needed them for work reasons.
They say she then sold the items to an international dealer.
Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, 46, was arrested on Tuesday at her home in Darien, Conn.
Prosecutors allege that Lederhaas-Okun used her position at Tiffany to borrow about 165 pieces of jewelry, including diamond bracelets, platinum or gold diamond drop and hoop earrings, platinum diamond rings, and platinum and diamond pendants, claiming she needed them for work reasons.
They say she then sold the items to an international dealer.
“As alleged, Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun went from a Vice President at a high-end jewelry company to jewel thief," Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement. "She abused her access to valuable jewelry in order to steal and then resell over one million dollars’ worth of items that she falsely represented as her own, as the complaint describes."
Authorities say Lederhaas-Okun left the company in February. The name of her attorney wasn't immediately available.
Tiffany representatives declined to comment Tuesday.
Authorities say Lederhaas-Okun left the company in February. The name of her attorney wasn't immediately available.
Tiffany representatives declined to comment Tuesday.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
