Maid Pleads Not Guilty to Celebrity Stealing
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A housekeeper who worked for Manhattan's rich and famous pleaded not guilty on Friday to an indictment charging her with stealing property from her clients, including Candice B (search)ergen and Robert De Niro's (search) wife.
Wearing blue jeans, a yellow top and her hair in a ponytail, Lucyna Turyk-Wawrynowicz, 35, remained silent as her lawyer entered the plea in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.
The housekeeper allegedly stole from at least three of her employers, who included De Niro and Bergen, over the past four years. On Friday, prosecutors said two more victims have come forward, but did not elaborate.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The indictment identified the theft victims as DeNiro's wife, Grace Hightower (search), as well as Bergen and Renee Rockefeller. Also listed was Barney's, a high-end department store where the defendant allegedly made unauthorized credit card purchases.
Outside court, attorney Frank Mainiero said he would file a motion seeking to suppress evidence allegedly found at his client's Queens home, including a set of diamond earrings that cost $95,000, and a suede jacket that cost $1,000. He claimed the search was done without a warrant or by consent.
Turyk-Wawrynowicz -- who remained jailed in lieu of bail set at $150,000 bond or $75,000 cash -- was arrested last month and later indicted on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, forgery and coercion.