Restitution for Renata
Donation protected
RECENT ARTICLES:
http://bit.ly/Iux52F
http://bit.ly/1cdk1pH
http://bit.ly/ISjbIa
In January of 2012 I was arrested for Grand Larceny.
Growing up, I, too, was taught right from wrong. I was raised in suburban Long Island, the child of Ukranian immigrants, and taught the value of hard work. I can't remember a time when I wasn't working in the fashion industry, either as a sales clerk or later on in more managerial positions, while also trying to balance time for my studies, my family, and my friends.
When I was twenty I married my high school sweetheart and thought my future was paved with children, a wonderful husband, and a successful career. Then I got diagnosed with POTS syndrome (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome http://goo.gl/g5d2Xt ) and my whole life changed. I was hospitalized over 40 times in the span of the first 2 years with the heart condition and for a lengthy time period connected to a heart monitor daily. Ultimately I ended up separating from the man I thought I would spend my life with and I found myself working for a seemingly very successful businessman who told me he would guide me in the right direction and show me the ropes of starting my own business. I was in a vulnerable state, financially and emotionally. I made mistakes in judgment that ultimately lead to my arrest in 2012.
Please feel free to read through some or all of the media coverage and draw your own conclusions about the relationship between my ex-boss and I. Many of you have been asking and that is not the end goal of this crowd funding attempt. http://bit.ly/Iux52F
If you have any questions, contact me and if I am able to legally answer them, I will. I am currently attempting to pay back the money. Some people may think that this is not the best way to pay back the money, or restitution funds, that I now owe. But I am hopeful that some of you will see beyond the media blitz.
I was and am prepared for the backlash and negative opinions I have been receiving from the public who see me as "entitled". I absolutely do not feel entitled or deserving of anything except for a second chance. I am hoping someone out there will help me change my fate. I am 28 years old and a prison sentence would ruin my life both physically, due to my heart condition, and emotionally, as jail is a devastating place for a young girl to be.
My parents have put their property up for sale in an attempt to help me avoid such a devastating fate come December 2013 but have been unable to sell the business as of yet and time is ticking. While I have an entrepreneurial spirit and the right eye to make my own skills come to life, it may not work in time for my plea deal dates and that is why I am making this attempt.
Thank you for taking the time to read a part of my life story and potentially changing it for the better. Any help or advice on this would be monumental. Whether the help comes in form of donation, someone who does real estate development in the catskills or a mentor. Mentoring me through this process may be more valuable than money itself so please feel free to reach out to me with appropriate suggestions.
Update: One particular idea has come out from many suggestions that is an important cause to me. Women helping other women who have been verbally/physically abused get back on their feet and on the road to a better life. In going with the theme of "give to receive" this is a cause I will be thankful to be a part of. I will be doing 10 hours of community service for every $1000 donated on or off the site. The person donating the hours will receive a certificate of completion on their behalf. Whether providing meals in kitchens or teaching computer basics to the children who have been part of an environment in crisis, this experience is likely more important for me than for the the families receiving. I expect to gain some much needed perspective from this experience. In hopes of a change in karma, I look forward to getting my hands dirty and making a difference.
If there is an organization that you would like the community service hours to be done with, please advise and I will be happy to help in ways I can.
(Edited on multiple occasions, most recently; in Dec2013 to address some of the questions and update those who have asked and to clear up any confusion)
http://bit.ly/Iux52F
http://bit.ly/1cdk1pH
http://bit.ly/ISjbIa
In January of 2012 I was arrested for Grand Larceny.
Growing up, I, too, was taught right from wrong. I was raised in suburban Long Island, the child of Ukranian immigrants, and taught the value of hard work. I can't remember a time when I wasn't working in the fashion industry, either as a sales clerk or later on in more managerial positions, while also trying to balance time for my studies, my family, and my friends.
When I was twenty I married my high school sweetheart and thought my future was paved with children, a wonderful husband, and a successful career. Then I got diagnosed with POTS syndrome (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome http://goo.gl/g5d2Xt ) and my whole life changed. I was hospitalized over 40 times in the span of the first 2 years with the heart condition and for a lengthy time period connected to a heart monitor daily. Ultimately I ended up separating from the man I thought I would spend my life with and I found myself working for a seemingly very successful businessman who told me he would guide me in the right direction and show me the ropes of starting my own business. I was in a vulnerable state, financially and emotionally. I made mistakes in judgment that ultimately lead to my arrest in 2012.
Please feel free to read through some or all of the media coverage and draw your own conclusions about the relationship between my ex-boss and I. Many of you have been asking and that is not the end goal of this crowd funding attempt. http://bit.ly/Iux52F
If you have any questions, contact me and if I am able to legally answer them, I will. I am currently attempting to pay back the money. Some people may think that this is not the best way to pay back the money, or restitution funds, that I now owe. But I am hopeful that some of you will see beyond the media blitz.
I was and am prepared for the backlash and negative opinions I have been receiving from the public who see me as "entitled". I absolutely do not feel entitled or deserving of anything except for a second chance. I am hoping someone out there will help me change my fate. I am 28 years old and a prison sentence would ruin my life both physically, due to my heart condition, and emotionally, as jail is a devastating place for a young girl to be.
My parents have put their property up for sale in an attempt to help me avoid such a devastating fate come December 2013 but have been unable to sell the business as of yet and time is ticking. While I have an entrepreneurial spirit and the right eye to make my own skills come to life, it may not work in time for my plea deal dates and that is why I am making this attempt.
Thank you for taking the time to read a part of my life story and potentially changing it for the better. Any help or advice on this would be monumental. Whether the help comes in form of donation, someone who does real estate development in the catskills or a mentor. Mentoring me through this process may be more valuable than money itself so please feel free to reach out to me with appropriate suggestions.
Update: One particular idea has come out from many suggestions that is an important cause to me. Women helping other women who have been verbally/physically abused get back on their feet and on the road to a better life. In going with the theme of "give to receive" this is a cause I will be thankful to be a part of. I will be doing 10 hours of community service for every $1000 donated on or off the site. The person donating the hours will receive a certificate of completion on their behalf. Whether providing meals in kitchens or teaching computer basics to the children who have been part of an environment in crisis, this experience is likely more important for me than for the the families receiving. I expect to gain some much needed perspective from this experience. In hopes of a change in karma, I look forward to getting my hands dirty and making a difference.
If there is an organization that you would like the community service hours to be done with, please advise and I will be happy to help in ways I can.
(Edited on multiple occasions, most recently; in Dec2013 to address some of the questions and update those who have asked and to clear up any confusion)
Organizer
Renata Shamrakova
Organizer
New York, NY