Marin Prosecutor’s Office charged interior designer in theft investigation

A Novato interior designer appeared in court for the first time Monday after being accused of stealing from a former client in Strawberry.

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges of grand larceny and receiving stolen property against 43-year-old Cesalee Venetta Venema.

Venema, who represented himself in court Monday before Judge Kelly Simmons, filed a motion to disqualify Simmons from the case. Defendants and prosecutors have the right to disqualify a judge. Venema did not give its reasoning in court.

The case was assigned to Judge Kevin Murphy and a hearing was scheduled for Friday. Venema also requested that a public defender be assigned to his case.

Marin County sheriff’s investigators arrested Venema on Oct. 16 after his former client accused him of stealing property from the home, including $80,000 worth of jewelry and gift cards, over a five-month period. Venema had been hired as an interior designer and home organizer, sheriff’s Sgt. said Adam Schermerhorn.

Schermerhorn said that when the homeowner confronted Venema, she admitted spending nearly $5,000 on gift cards and buying $200 in gift cards, but denied stealing jewelry. He said Venema admitted to taking the victim’s jewelry and stolen gift cards after investigators found them at his home.

While Venema was released from the Marin County Jail on bail following his arrest, the prosecutor’s office reviewed the case for possible charges. The prosecutor’s office filed a criminal complaint on October 18.

Venema could not be reached for comment after Monday’s hearing.

First Publication Date: November 4, 2024 15:55 PST