A Novato interior designer made her first court appearance Monday after being charged with stealing from a former client in Strawberry.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed charges of grand theft and receiving stolen property against Cesalee Venetta Venema, 43.
Venema, representing herself in court on Monday before Judge Kelly Simmons, filed a petition to disqualify Simmons from the case. Defendants and prosecutors have the right to disqualify one judge. Venema did not state her reason in court.
The case was reassigned to Judge Kevin Murphy and the arraignment was scheduled for Friday. Venema also asked for a public defender to be assigned to her case.
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Marin County sheriff’s investigators arrested Venema on Oct. 16 after the former client accused her of stealing property from the home over a five-month period, including $80,000 worth of jewelry and gift cards. Venema had been hired as an interior designer and house organizer, sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn said.
When the homeowner confronted Venema, she admitted she spent approximately $5,000 on a gift card and took a $200 gift card, but she denied stealing jewelry, Schermerhorn said. He said Venema admitted to taking the victim’s jewelry and stolen gift cards after investigators found them at her home.
Venema bailed out of Marin County Jail after her arrest while the prosecution reviewed the case for potential charges. The prosecution filed charges on Oct. 18.
Venema could not be reached for comment after her hearing Monday.