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Charles Saatchi 'unaware' PA's credit limit was £100,000, court hears Charles Saatchi: PA's credit cards were Nigella's idea
(about 1 hour later)
Charles Saatchi's accountant has told a court he increased the credit limit of one of the art dealer's personal assistants to £100,000 without telling him. Charles Saatchi has told a court it was his ex-wife Nigella Lawson's idea to let their personal assistants have company credit cards.
Sisters Francesca, 35, and Elisabetta Grillo, 41, are charged with fraud by using company credit cards loaned to them by Mr Saatchi and Nigella Lawson. The millionaire art dealer, who got divorced from the TV cook this year, said he was "very fond" of sisters Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo.
Prosecutors claim they lived the "high life" buying designer products. They are accused of using credit cards loaned to them by the couple to spend more than £685,000 on themselves.
At Isleworth Crown Court the Italian sisters denied the charges. At Isleworth Crown Court the Italian sisters have denied fraud charges.
Earlier, Mr Saatchi's accountant told the court he increased the credit limit of one of the sisters to £100,000 without telling his employer.
Prosecutors claim Francesca, 35, and Elisabetta Grillo, 41, lived the "high life" buying designer products.
£100,000 limit£100,000 limit
The court previously heard that Francesca, of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, spent the most and is alleged to have spent £64,000 on luxury holidays and designer goods in June last year. The court previously heard that Francesca, of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, spent £64,000 on luxury holidays and designer goods in June last year.
Mr Saatchi's finance director, Rahul Gajjar, told the court he authorised the defendant's credit limit, which started at £25,000 before increasing it to £50,000 in 2010 and then £100,000 in June 2011 after the defendant kept going over the limit.Mr Saatchi's finance director, Rahul Gajjar, told the court he authorised the defendant's credit limit, which started at £25,000 before increasing it to £50,000 in 2010 and then £100,000 in June 2011 after the defendant kept going over the limit.
During cross-examination, Karina Arden who is representing Francesca, asked: "So the level of spending, which may be suggested by the Crown to be extraordinary - certainly you and Charles knew about it?"During cross-examination, Karina Arden who is representing Francesca, asked: "So the level of spending, which may be suggested by the Crown to be extraordinary - certainly you and Charles knew about it?"
"Yes," Mr Gajjar replied."Yes," Mr Gajjar replied.
Ms Arden continued: "He knew that a credit limit of £50,000 was insufficient at one point and therefore asked for it to be increased?"Ms Arden continued: "He knew that a credit limit of £50,000 was insufficient at one point and therefore asked for it to be increased?"
Mr Gajjar replied: "The details of the figure I don't think Charles was aware of."Mr Gajjar replied: "The details of the figure I don't think Charles was aware of."
Ms Arden said Francesca worked long hours, sometimes from 05:00 until late at night and Mr Gajjar agreed they "lived and breathed" Mr Saatchi and Ms Lawson.Ms Arden said Francesca worked long hours, sometimes from 05:00 until late at night and Mr Gajjar agreed they "lived and breathed" Mr Saatchi and Ms Lawson.
Previously, Mr Gajjar, who has been the finance director of Saatchi Gallery Group since June 2002, told the court other assistants employed by Mr Saatchi spent a maximum of £8,000.Previously, Mr Gajjar, who has been the finance director of Saatchi Gallery Group since June 2002, told the court other assistants employed by Mr Saatchi spent a maximum of £8,000.