On April 15, 2008, Esmerian caused Fred Leighton to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

FORBES: Former Fred Leighton Owner 'Lived a Life of Fraud and Deceit on a Massive Scale'

Ralph Esmerian, the former owner and chairman of Manhattan-based luxury jewelry retailer Fred Leighton Holdings Inc.

FORBES: Former Fred Leighton Owner 'Lived a Life of Fraud and Deceit on a Massive Scale'

Esmerian bought Fred Leighton in 2005 as a retail outlet for the inventory of his company, R.

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"This is a new phenomenon in jewelry, " pronounced New York dealer Fred Leighton directly after the sale.

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Vivienne Westwood designed Carrie's wedding dress and Fred Leighton made her jewelry.

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Once Esmerian took over Fred Leighton in April 2006, the business started to founder, and by September 2007 he was defaulting on loan payments.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Fred Leighton bracelet with a large gem placed where a watch dial might normally have been.

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In 2006 deluxe-jewelry dealer Ralph Esmerian, 68, bought retailer Fred Leighton, with stores in New York and Las Vegas and customers like Nicole Kidman and Elizabeth Taylor.

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