Paula Deen caught her maid’s hand in the cookie jar.
The famous Food Network chef has accused her housekeeper of stealing about $100,000 worth of jewelry and other valuables from her Savannah house, according to local TV news site WTOC.com.
White was first arrested after attempting to pawn the stolen goods on May 3.
She was released shortly after, but arrested again a week later when a she tried to pawn other stolen items. She has been charged with felony theft.
According to reports filed by Deen’s husband, Michael Groover, housekeeper Mary Alice White allegedly stole the baubles over a 10-month period, beginning in August 2009.
Groover told police that he caught her with some of Deen’s missing jewelry in her possession.
After hearing about the thefts, Deen fired White.
Deen lives in Savannah where she owns a restaurant, called The Lady and Sons, with her sons.
She is most famous for hosting a trio of popular Food Network cooking shows devoted to high-calorie, butter-heavy, Southern-style food: “Paula’s Home Cooking,” “Paula’s Party” and “Paula’s Best Dishes.”