This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25401133

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ex-Charles Saatchi employee says Grillo case evidence 'career suicide' Saatchi 'gave PA card to buy whatever she wanted'
(about 2 hours later)
A woman who worked for Charles Saatchi has said she was "committing career suicide" by giving evidence in support of two PAs accused of defrauding him and his former wife Nigella Lawson. A former personal assistant accused of defrauding Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson has said she was given a bank card to "buy whatever I wanted".
Sharrine Scholtz was a financial assistant to Mr Saatchi. Francesca Grillo told Isleworth Crown Court the bank card was used to withdraw her salary.
She said she had been accused of using a company taxi account without authorisation and forced to sign a gagging clause when leaving her job. "I was never given strict rules. Charles just said 'there is your card'," she said.
Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo deny fraudulently using credit cards. Francesca and her sister Elisabetta Grillo both deny fraudulently using credit cards.
'Truth needed' "I would live in the annex of the house. I was told to buy whatever I wanted with that card," Ms Grillo said.
Miss Scholtz told Isleworth Crown Court she was forced to leave her job and sign a compromise agreement after setting up her own gallery. "I have never had a contract of employment. That arrangement lasted for four years until I was put on the pay roll."
She said: "I have everything to lose by standing up here and nothing to gain." 'Beyond loyalty'
She said she was "committing career suicide by speaking up" and insisted: "I'm here to speak the truth". Ms Grillo told the court the card was also used to buy essentials for the family, as her role involved housekeeping, shopping and cooking meals.
"Anyone who speaks up against the Saatchi Gallery black marks themselves from working for anybody else in the art world," she added. She said her relationship with her former employers went "beyond loyalty" and she did everything she could to please them.
When asked why she was prepared to assist the Grillo sisters, she said: "Somebody needs to speak up now and most people are too scared." "When something like this is happening, you don't stop loving them," she said.
She said if she had not signed a gagging clause when leaving her job she feared "perhaps I would be standing here instead of Elisabetta and Francesca". "You're disappointed, but you don't stop loving them. I never stopped loving Charles or Nigella or the children."
Miss Scholtz worked under Mr Saatchi's finance director Rahul Gajjar for four-and-a-half years until 2009. Ms Grillo denied booking taxis on the family's account was a secret and said she was allowed to order one whenever she needed to.
'Staff welfare'
Anthony Metzer QC, defending Elisabetta, asked if members of staff were able to spend on designer goods.
Miss Scholtz said: "As far as I was aware, they were authorised by Nigella and Saatchi. It would come under staff welfare."
The court also heard character references for Elisabetta Grillo including the description of her as an "exemplary employee" by Jane Winkworth, founder of the French Sole shoe company, who said the fraud allegations were "totally out of Lisa's character".
The defendants are accused of spending £685,000 on credit cards belonging to the celebrity couple to buy designer goods and luxury holidays.The defendants are accused of spending £685,000 on credit cards belonging to the celebrity couple to buy designer goods and luxury holidays.
The Grillos' defence argues Ms Lawson consented to the PAs spending as they were "intimately connected to her private life and were aware of the drug use which she wanted to keep from her then-husband Charles Saatchi".The Grillos' defence argues Ms Lawson consented to the PAs spending as they were "intimately connected to her private life and were aware of the drug use which she wanted to keep from her then-husband Charles Saatchi".
Nigella Lawson has denied having a drugs problem.Nigella Lawson has denied having a drugs problem.
'Career suicide'
Earlier another woman who worked for Mr Saatchi said she was "committing career suicide" by giving evidence in support of the PAs.
Sharrine Scholtz, a former financial assistant to Mr Saatchi, said she had been accused of using a company taxi account without authorisation and forced to sign a gagging clause when she left her job.
Miss Scholtz told the court she was forced to leave her job and sign a compromise agreement after setting up her own gallery.
She said: "I have everything to lose by standing up here and nothing to gain."
She said she was "committing career suicide by speaking up" but insisted: "I'm here to speak the truth".
"Anyone who speaks up against the Saatchi Gallery black marks themselves from working for anybody else in the art world," she said.
She said if she had not signed a gagging clause when leaving her job she feared "perhaps I would be standing here instead of Elisabetta and Francesca".
Miss Scholtz worked under Mr Saatchi's finance director Rahul Gajjar for four-and-a-half years until 2009.
Anthony Metzer QC, defending Elisabetta Grillo, asked Miss Scholtz if members of staff were able to spend on designer goods.
She replied: "As far as I was aware, they were authorised by Nigella and Saatchi. It would come under staff welfare."
The trial continues.The trial continues.