Posted Aug 16, 2010 12:16 PM CDT

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/cashier_stole_2.7m_from_law_firm_kept_man_hubby_beats_money-launder_rap/

A trusted 20-year employee stole nearly $2.7 million from a British law firm between 2002 and 2009, allegedly forging checks to help fund a lavish lifestyle for herself and her husband and purchasing Chanel jewelery, Jimmy Choo shoes and shares in a racehorse, among other nonessentials.

Louise Martini, 36, had worked at Williamson and Soden since she was 16 and was given increasing responsibility over that time. She managed client accounts and petty cash—and at one point set up a fictitious real estate file in her father's name, the Daily Mail reports.

She could face a 4-year jail term when she is sentenced in October in Gloucester Crown Court, after admitting to theft and money-laundering. Forgery charges against Martini were dismissed.

Her husband, Richard Martini, 40, was initially charged with money-laundering, but the case against him was dropped after he told authorities he was a "kept man" whose wife handled their finances, according to the newspaper. He believed his spouse was being paid roughly $95,000 to $110,000 per year by the firm solicitors, and he thought the money being spent came from her earnings, the Daily Mail reported.

Louise Martini actually was paid an annual salary of about $38,000. The couple married in 2003 and are now divorced.