MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
CrimeSep 08, 2017
Man Pleads Guilty in $9M Jewelry Scheme Run from Prison
James Sabatino, an inmate at a Florida federal penitentiary, posed as a music and movie executive who needed jewelry and watches for video shoots.
Miami--A man who scammed high-end retailers and brands out of more than $9 million in jewelry and watches from behind bars has pleaded guilty and faces up to 20 more years in prison.
James Sabatino, a 40-year-old native New Yorker described by the Miami Herald as a “serial” con man, was an inmate at the Federal Detention Center in Miami when, in October 2014, he obtained a Samsung cell phone through a prison guard.
Using the contraband phone, he created several email addresses and began contacting “luxury store employees and brand representatives” via telephone calls, emails and text messages, court papers state.
He told them his name was “James Prolima” and that he worked for Sony Music Entertainment and RocNation, the recording company founded by Jay-Z, and convinced them to send watches and jewelry, as well as clothing and handbags, to various locations in south Florida that he purported would be used in music videos that were being filmed in Miami.
Later, using iPhones obtained through another guard at the prison, Sabatino began using the aliases “Paul Castellana,” “Samuel Castro” and “Andrew Kronfeld” and pretending that he worked for Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Pictures International, Creative Artists Agency and Universal Music Group.
He convinced more than six “luxury jewelry companies”--including representatives of jeweler-to-the-stars Lorraine Schwartz--to send jewelry that would be used as props in videos featuring popular musicians and actors.
However, since Sabatino was a prison inmate--not a music or movie executive, as he claimed--the jewelry and watches never got used in any videos. Instead, they were sent to outside conspirators and got sold at pawn shops, court papers state.
Two of the co-conspirators deposited some of the money they got from selling the luxury goods into the commissary accounts of Sabatino and another inmate, Jorge Duquen. Court papers also state that some of the items were delivered to an associate of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra, of which Sabatino is also known to be an associate.
Sabatino pleaded guilty on Sept. 1 in federal court to charges of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations), mail/wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property.
The Jewelers Security Alliance included a note about Sabatino in its crime alert circulated Thursday. It states that anyone who believes they might have been a victim of Sabatino’s scheme or has additional information should contact FBI Special Agent Robert A. Giczy at 754-703-2000.
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
