Jeweller’s Wife Faces Court for Allegedly Orchestrating Robbery

The wife of a jeweller accused of staging a robbery at his store has faced court on claims she was also in on the alleged attempt to defraud insurers.

Renowned jeweller Michel Germani has been in custody since handing himself in to police in May.

He has been accused of seeking more than $2.8 million (US$1.84 million) from his insurers and making false statements to do so after allegedly staging a robbery at his Sydney city centre store in January 2022.

The 66-year-old jeweller has also been accused of participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity.

Five other people have been charged, most recently his wife Coco Germani in November.

She is accused of doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice.

It came after an unsuccessful September bail hearing for her husband, when the Supreme Court heard she was allegedly in on the scheme.

Germani was denied bail despite his wife offering $60,000 (US$39,392) in surety.

“Given the allegations that she has knowledge of the offending in my view she’s not an appropriate person to put up money of that nature,” the judge said in September.

Coco Germani wore white as she appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Jan. 18, when prosecutors sought an adjournment.

Four others have been charged alongside the Germanis for their alleged roles in staging the robbery.

Negotiations are ongoing and prosecutors are expected to certify charges in February against the Germanis and others accused of involvement in the alleged criminal group.

An employee who was present in the store and allegedly tied up during the ordeal was not charged.

Police said the employee was left traumatised by what she thought was a genuine robbery.