"Luxury addict" steals 1.4 million to support habit
Filed under: Fashion, News, Best of the Season
It's official: you can be addicted to anything.Along with email, the Internet -- and, course, drugs and alcohol (the old standbys) -- you can apparently also be addicted to luxury. At least that's the story from a 26-year-old South Korean woman who's suspected of embezzling $1.4 million just so she could purchase designer shoes, bags and clothing.
The woman apparently works for an agricultural co-op by day -- a company from which she was slowly stealing what should have been company utility and tax payments. By night, she was a high-dollar fashion diva, who -- according to police reports -- owned hundreds of pairs of designer shoes.
Now you know how much money you'd have to make if you wanted to live your designer fashion fantasies.
denise 7-27-2007 @ 8:56AM
It's the designers fault. The top designers only design for the people with money to burn. Most people(especially women, and young girls) want to look good and own some nice luxurious pieces. Why can't Chanel and some of the other high end designers come up with a line that everyone can afford??
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Emma Jo 7-27-2007 @ 9:07AM
LOL
I myself love designer shoes
but she's stupid!
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Carol 7-27-2007 @ 9:10AM
Its the designers fault this woman stealed? Too silly. She has some entitlement to expensive shoes? Can I get in line? Fashion has little to do with money, its style. You can get it at Chanel, or a "close enough" to DSW. BTW, many of the designers do have lower priced versions. Not chanel, but Donna Karen, Liz Clairborne, etc etc.
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A 7-27-2007 @ 12:50PM
Whats the point in it being "luxurios" if its meant for everyone to afford?
There is a reason fashion designers create things the way they do. For those who can't afford authentic luxury, there are some very high quality knock offs which are much more affordable. And then of course there is ebay.
You may think i am some rich snob...completely not true. I come from a middle class family and appreciate the value of every penny I earn. I LOVE luxurious brands just like the next woman, but its one of those things u have to be able to afford...NOT STEAL...i have been lucky enough to endulge in several authentic bags and sunglasses and shoes, and i take great pride in knowing they are authentic and paid for with my hard earned money. And personally, yes they are expensive, but I wouldn't want everyone and their dog owning what is suppose to be "luxurious". It kills the meaning of the word, the uniqueness of each design, and the pride one has in their collection. No matter how small or big.
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Sue 7-27-2007 @ 10:09AM
It is not the designer's fault that their clothing is pricey! They deserve to be compensated for their work. If Chanel & Louis Vuitton weren't brands that people desired to have, their products would not be as expensive. It's simple economics really. Women are willing to pay top dollar for designer clothing and the designers are happy to take their money from them. The price tag means that you have to have money to wear them, that's all. They shouldn't have to lower their prices to be "fair." The real world is not like elementary school. No one is "fair" in life except your first grade teacher.
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J 7-27-2007 @ 10:27AM
she lived in s.korea; she could have bought all the knock off designer stuff she wanted on her salary at the numerous stores/vendors that carry them. now several communities will have to suffer or shut down their operations because of her greed and her need to flaunt. yeah I agree she is stupid and selfish.
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BEAUTIFUL ONE 7-27-2007 @ 10:37AM
EMBEZZLEMENT??? - OH SO BUSTED!
THIS IS TRIFLING - MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TOWARDS COMPANY UTILITIES/TAXES.
I AM CERTAIN THAT ONCE THE PROPER AUTHORITIES WERE NOTIFIED, THIS THIEF HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND WILL BE IN JAIL FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
EMPLOYERS - WATCH WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT!
4 THE LOVE OF MONEY AT IT WORST!
PS CAROL - GOOD, SMART COMMENT
PEACE
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Cheri 7-27-2007 @ 10:55AM
One would think that the utility companies would have turned the utilities off for non payment!
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Alexis 7-27-2007 @ 11:20AM
I agree with Denise, there should be a line that is a little less costly that the "everyday woman can afford". DSW is ok if you dont mind buying shoes a year later after everyone has already had them.
I dont agree with her reason for stealing but I can see how and why she was tempted. It's the same as people not paying their own bills to afford things.
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alexis 7-27-2007 @ 11:21AM
I agree with Denise, there should be a line that is a little less
costly that the "everyday woman can afford". DSW is ok if you dont
mind buying shoes a year later after everyone has already had them.I
dont agree with her reason for stealing but I can see how and why
she was tempted. It's the same as people not paying their own bills
to afford things.
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tif 7-27-2007 @ 11:32AM
It's not the designer's fault at all. She's retarded. let's see shoes that cost $1.50 to make and are sold for $800.00+??
RETARDED for spending that much on shoes
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Christine 7-27-2007 @ 11:52AM
This is perhaps the most ludicrist article of all. This woman was a thief, pure and simple. She stole from her employer for the worst of all reasons...a handbag and pair of shoes! The woman is crazy. However 1.4 million can buy a lot more than handbags!
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Kaz 7-27-2007 @ 11:57AM
Using the word, "retarded," as a metaphor for venal is poor usage, to say nothing of mean-spirited. People with mental retardation have enough to cope with! Call this thief what she is and please don't disparage people who cannot defend themselves.
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Andy Hilton 7-27-2007 @ 11:58AM
#1, if everyone could afford the products, then they would not be special. Get it?
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The Brat 7-27-2007 @ 12:36PM
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......................they MADE me want the shoes.....they MADE me steal money to buy the shoes...............waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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Kerry 7-27-2007 @ 12:12PM
This is going to make me sound old, but kids these days want everything, and they want it NOW! They don't want to work, putting in they long hours & sacrifice to EARN what they have. Some how, the world owes them everything. If you want those fancy, name brand shoes, then take a full week's pay and get them. It's true, you do feel better when you work and pay for something. Theft is what runs up prices for everyone.
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Dee 7-27-2007 @ 12:30PM
Hey,
What size does she wear? When is the auction and where?
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Jennifer 7-27-2007 @ 12:53PM
The woman was a thief...plain and simple. No designer forced her aganist her will to buy shoes.
As someone who loves shoes... period. I look at the designer ones as an investment. It's like purchasing furniture or high prices home accessories. It might not be something I do frequently, but I always look for good quality that doesn't go out of fashion the next year.
If you take good care of your investments they will last a lifetime.
Happy Shoe Shopping Everyone!
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Mary 7-27-2007 @ 1:09PM
"It's the designers fault."
Oh, of course it is. NEVER take personal responsibility for anything you do.
Geesh.
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karen 8-08-2007 @ 1:28PM
SHOES ARE SHOES .... CLOTHES ARE CLOTHES .... I DONT CARE WHAT THE LABEL SAYS -- I BUY WHAT FEELS GOOD & IS AFFORDABLE & I LOOK JUST FINE ...... THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS ON THIS EARTH THAN CLOTHING & SHOES .......PEOPLE NEED TO FOCUS MORE ON BEING A GOOD PERSON , AND BEING KIND TO OTHERS & GOING TO CHURCH MORE...... BECAUSE DESIGNER CLOTHING & BAGS ARE NOT GOING TO GET YOU INTO HEAVEN........ WE ARE ON THIS EARTH FOR A REASON -- AND ITS NOT TO OBSESS OVER OVERPRICED SHOES & CLOTHING .......REMEMBER THAT ..... I INVEST MY EXTRA MONEY FOR MY KIDS COLLEGE FUND....... I DONT BUY EXPENSIVE ITEMS .... THATS VERY WASTEFUL......GOD IS WATCHING EVERYONE ..... AND HE ISNT FOND OF MATERIALISTIC PEOPLE ....... GO TO CHURCH & THANK HIM THAT YOU ARE ALIVE .... IF YOU DONT HAVE YOUR HEALTH & A LOVING FAMILY, AND FAITH IN GOD, THEN YOU HAVE NOTHING ..............
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