The men behind the 2018 robbery of Dorit Kemsley and Paul “PK” Kemsley‘s former home in Beverly Hills, California, are headed to trial later this month after allegedly running a burglary ring that targeted the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast members and several others living in the area, including Adam Lambert and Usher.
After listing their mansion for $12.75 million in 2017 (it ultimately sold in May of this year for just $7.2 million), Dorit and PK were “one of hardest hit” homeowners reportedly targeted by Jason Yaselli and Benjamin Ackerman, who stole an estimated $2.5 million worth of items from the residence before being hit with several charges in August 2019.
According to a report from the Daily Mail on September 4, Jason and Benjamin are believed to have masterminded a bevy of crimes, stealing more than $5 million worth of items from celebrities and other high-profile figures near Hollywood, California.
The outlet confirmed the discovery of more than 2,500 stolen items at Ben’s home and storage unit equated to one of the “largest recoveries of stolen items in LAPD history.”
During the June 2018 robbery of the Kemsleys’ former mansion, Ben reportedly took “artwork, jewelry, a large and expensive wine collection, wallets, and handbags worth more than $2.5 million,” as well as “43 purses and handbags, 30 bracelets, 25 necklaces, and a Social Security card.”
Although Jason is not believed to have entered any of the homes targeted, he is facing just as many charges as Ben after reportedly encouraging Ben to rob at least 13 residences while “dressed to the nines.” They stole a presumed total of at least $5.5 million in valuables between December 2016 to July 2018.
In addition to being hit with “14 counts of burglary, 32 counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering,” Jason and Ben are accused of stealing over $500,000 through fraud and embezzlement. They have pled not guilty.
Following the robberies, Jason and Ben reportedly took the items to pawn shops and other luxury retailers. Ben put their profits into his account and later transferred funds to Jason, who would later pay off Ben’s bills to other partners. The men are also accused of transferring American Airlines frequent-flyer miles and Amex travel reward points.
They are facing up to 31 years behind bars.
In other RHOBH news, TMZ confirmed at the end of last month that the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has dismissed a DUI case against PK due to an “insufficiency of the evidence.” As the outlet explained, PK is no longer facing DUI charges stemming from a 2021 arrest as his case has been rejected.
After being pulled over on the 101 freeway in L.A., PK blew a .081. Then, after arriving at the police station, he blew a .076, which was below California’s legal limit’s .08.
Following the arrest, PK’s attorney, Alan Jackson, told TMZ, “[PK] regrets the fact he did not take alternate transportation home that evening.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 12 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
