A cash-strapped, luxury-loving Walt Disney Co. secretary made an appearance inside a Manhattan courtroom today — where her lawyer made it a point afterwards to say that she was carrying a “very inexpensive” bag and wearing cheap shoes.
Bonnie Jean Hoxie, 33, who was busted last month in a plot to peddle inside information with her boyfriend so she could live out a Cinderella fantasy of designer handbags and shoes, showed up in Manhattan federal court wearing red boots and swinging around a black handbag.
Asked afterwards about her shoes and bag, Hoxie’s lawyer, Robert Baum chimed in, “Very inexpensive.”
The feds claim Hoxie asked for compensation — including a $700 handbag from Neiman Marcus and a pair of expensive Stella McCartney shoes — in return for the financial information.
Hoxie, who was wearing dark jeans and a sweater, said nothing during the hearing — or to reporters — after a judge agreed she can remain free on $50,000 bail, an amount that had been set by a California judge.
“It’s early in the case. The allegations are just allegations,” said Baum. I intend to do a very through investigation, and may have more comment after that.”
Hoxie had since 2007 worked for Disney’s head of corporate communications, Zenia Mucha, formerly a top aide to New York Gov. George Pataki and Sen. Al D’Amato.
But Hoxie was expelled from the Magic Kingdom’s corporate headquarters in Burbank, Calif., after FBI agents hauled her off in cuffs following a raid of the Los Angeles apartment she shared with her unemployed younger brother and three cats.
Hoxie’s boyfriend, Yonni Sebbag, 29, who is also allegedly involved in the scam, was ordered held without bail Tuesday during a brief appearance in Manhattan federal court.
If convicted, both face up to 25 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine.