What to Do With Ryder’s Saks Loot?
It was a fitting legal coda to celebrity litigation, Hollywood style.
A court session Monday to review Winona Ryder’s community service devolved into a debate over the wages of sin and what to do with the $5,500 worth of fancy loot that the star shoplifted from Saks Fifth Avenue.
To wit: a $760 Marc Jacobs cashmere thermal top, $300 Gucci shoes, a $540 Natori handbag, a $225 Eric Javits hat, hairpieces and two Yves St. Laurent blouses, among other items.
Ryder’s lawyer said his client has “no interest in the items whatsoever,” but he suggested they should be auctioned off for charity.
“It seems to me to be silly to take thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise” and burn it, Mark Geragos told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elden Fox.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Ann Rundle said Saks had asked that the evidence be destroyed.
“While it has been reported that the defendant intends to auction the items ‘for charity,’ the defendant would nevertheless maintain a tax deduction benefit, as well as a publicity advantage,” Rundle wrote in court papers. “Once again, this would not serve the purpose of deterring her future criminal conduct -- as well as sending the wrong message to the community that ‘Crime DOES Pay.’ ”
Fox said he would consider the arguments on what to do with the evidence and rule later.
Earlier, Fox praised Ryder and said he had received a positive report about her work at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, where she has already completed the 480 hours of community service that he ordered last year. A progress report filed by her probation officer said she had made restitution to the department store, had paid all fines and fees and has been “actively” participating in drug and psychological counseling.
The probation officer said the therapist who is counseling the actress, Dr. Heather Krell of the University of California, has reported that Ryder “is motivated to improve, and is progressing as expected.” Fox sealed a letter from the doctor.
“I want you to continue what you have been doing,” Fox told Ryder, after ordering her back to court Oct. 10 for another progress report. In the meantime, she will be allowed to continue her film career and travel outside the country, Fox decided.
Ryder, who appeared in court Monday but did not speak, starred in “Girl, Interrupted” and was nominated for Academy Awards for “Little Women” and “The Age Innocence.”
After a trial in November, a jury found Ryder, 31, guilty of grand theft and vandalism. She faced as much as three years in state prison, but Fox placed her on probation. In addition to the community service and counseling, he ordered her to pay $10,000 in fines and restitution, including repaying Saks for the merchandise.
City of Hope officials declined Monday to discuss Ryder’s activities at the cancer center, except to confirm that she had completed the required hours.
