MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
CrimeAug 11, 2016
Ex-Cartier exec fires back in trade secrets case
A former Cartier advertising executive being sued for attempted digital theft of trade secrets is asking a federal judge to dismiss the case on grounds that she was permitted to access the data in question and never obtained it anyway.
New York--A former Cartier advertising executive being sued for attempted digital theft of trade secrets is asking a federal judge to dismiss the case on grounds that she was permitted to access the data in question and never obtained it anyway.
In July, Cartier parent company Richemont North America Inc. filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against Melissa Pordy, its former director of off-line advertising, claiming that she asked a subordinate to download confidential advertising information to be used when she joined rival Tiffany & Co. and tried to entice that same employee, who once was her assistant, to follow her to Tiffany. Richemont accuses her, among other things, of violation the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, or CFAA.
RELATED CONTENT: Cartier sues former exec for trade secret theft
Last week, Pordy fired back, filing a motion asking the court to dismiss all seven claims in the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revisited.
A memorandum supporting the motion to dismiss filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York states that “In sum, all of these claims commonly rely upon facts that assert that Ms. Pordy, while employed by [Cartier], attempted to obtain information to use after her employment ... information that she never obtained and never used. Accordingly ... these claims must fail.”
The memo argues that between the date she was informed she was being laid off (March 28) and her last day of employment (April 25), it is “undisputed” that she had authorized access to the information in question and nowhere is it alleged that she accessed, or attempted to access, Cartier’s computer systems after she left the company.
While the amended complaint alleges that Pordy “induced [her former assistant] to access a protected computer without authorization and in a manner that exceeded [her] authorized access to obtain confidential information in violation of CFAA,” there is no pled allegation that Pordy actually ever got any of this information her former assistant allegedly obtained through the computer system.
“To the contrary, the amended complaint alleges that Ms. Pordy requested [her former assistant] provide her with the purported information, which confirms that Ms. Pordy never received it,” court papers state.
Thereby, the alleged violation of the CFAA, the sole claim conferring jurisdiction to federal court, should be thrown out, the memo argues.
It also states that
Richemont has failed to allege facts sufficient to support its claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty of loyalty and tortious interference with contractual relations.
Pordy remains an employee of Tiffany. When asked about the case back in July, Tiffany said it does not comment on employee’s personal matters.
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
