Paula Deen's Housekeeper Charged with Stealing $100,000 Worth of Jewelry

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Paula Deen (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

SAVANNAH, Ga. (CBS/AP) Police say a housekeeper stole and tried to pawn thousands of dollars worth of jewelry belonging to Food Network star and celebrity chef Paula Deen.

Savannah-Chatham police told the Savannah Morning News they went to Deen's Wilmington Island home on May 3 on a report of about $100,000 worth of men's and women's jewelry that had vanished within the past year.

Deen's husband Michael Anthony Groover told police the couple had caught housekeeper Mary Alice White, 47, with some jewelry and had fired her.

Authorities charged White on May 5 with theft. They say she was caught trying to pawn a pair of $18,000 earrings at a Savannah pawnshop.

When contacted by The Associated Press, White denied the allegations and hung up.

11 Comments +

Add a Comment See all 11 Comments


by tsigili June 11, 2010 11:31 AM EDT: Hiring domestic help, is pretty much hard to do, without getting ripped off, sooner or later.; Reply to this comment


by gavindh June 10, 2010 9:46 PM EDT: I just don't understand how being less affluent than your employer makes stealing ok!; Reply to this comment


by DawnBroderick40 June 10, 2010 8:31 PM EDT: Why do people think they can get away with these sort of crimes? Like someone isn't going to notice tens of thousands of dollars of jewelry missing? LOL What a joke these people are. I know that cherished hired workers in home can be treated VERY well and I wouldn't steal from them! Being honest always pays off. It's a shame that these people can't trust employees in their own home. Throw the book at her.; Reply to this comment


by mahdeealoo June 10, 2010 7:50 PM EDT: Reminds me of a babysitter that systematically stole from me, especially clothes. The last thing I discovered missing was my one and only leather coat. I told her I didn't need her services any more.

I finally discovered her method; she would stuff things in the garage and pick them up on the way out. She never got to the coat and I didn't find it until several months later stuffed behind some paint cans, chewed by mice.

I see her today, 15 years later, miserable and poor. Karma.; Reply to this comment

by Num1lkrfan June 10, 2010 6:47 PM EDT

she makes too much money because she has 18k earrings? what about puff daddy buying his 16 year old kid a 400k car....these people need some humble pie!! having said that...stealing is a karma thing...you will pay the price in the long run

Reply to this comment


by thesevenveils June 10, 2010 7:03 PM EDT: Humble pie is soooo good. Have you seen Paula's recipe? It takes at least three sticks of butter...


by OhPinYun June 10, 2010 4:38 PM EDT: Anyone, anyone can afford to install cameras in their home these days. It is just too simple to do. People who think they can get away mistreating the trust of others arwe just plain stupid and deserve to get caught every time.; Reply to this comment


by Wildwood1966 June 10, 2010 4:36 PM EDT: what's up with "if not union employees" this is really a case of trust - would love to know how long the lady worked there but do agree that $18,000 ear bos are a little ridiculous - I mean where do you wear them and why aren't they locked up? Mary White is in trouble!; Reply to this comment


by lilbear925 June 10, 2010 3:04 PM EDT: Never tempt a poor person, even if they are a union employee. Jewelry like that should be in a safe, if not in the safety deposit box at the bank.; Reply to this comment

by TVO1CITW June 10, 2010 2:41 PM EDT

There is a place to keep that kind of jewelry. It is not clothing that you just throw on the night stand. Never tempt a poor person if they are not union employees.

Reply to this comment


by thesevenveils June 10, 2010 7:05 PM EDT: And never ever tempt a Union employee, unnless you can bribe his boss as well.

See all 11 Comments

Popular Now in Crime

recommended

Follow Crimesider

Most Popular on CBS News

Stories More »

Videos More »

5 Photos | View Gallery »
Photos: Inside the jail cell of Jodi Arias
13 Photos | View Gallery »
Twisters touch down in the Midwest
11 Photos | View Gallery »
Children rescued from elementary school in Okla.
12 Photos | View Gallery »
Environmental Working Group's top sunscreens for 2013
17 Photos | View Gallery »
Fla. teen charged over underage same-sex relationship

Scroll Left

Scroll Right More »

48 Hours 48 Hours for iPad^® A perfect companion to TV's most popular true-crime series.

CBS News on Facebook

Paula Deen's Housekeeper Charged with Stealing $100,000 Worth of Jewelry

Report offensive content:

E-mail this comment to a friend.

Follow Crimesider

48 Hours iPad App