:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_5dfbcf92c1a84b20a5da5024d398ff2f/internal_photos/bs/2024/F/p/0Aa64KTpmWHqBiAXGB7w/ana.jpg "Anna Delvey, the con artist who inspired “Anna's Invention,” leaves house arrest with a crystal anklet | Current affairs")
Anna Sorokinthe fake German heiress known as Anna Delvey, convicted of fraud and accused of defrauding New York City's elite circles, left house arrest for a hearing in the Big Apple last Thursday (06.06). One “detail” caught attention: the look the fraudster chose to go to court — complete with a crystal initial on the electronic anklet.
according to HelloMagThe dress Anna chose for the date is a partnership with the designer Shaoyang. She completed her look with white sunglasses, high heels and a matching bag.
The German woman who inspired the series “The Invention of Anna” attracted attention wherever she went, and seemed calm.
“Inventing Anna” (or “Inventando Anna” in Portuguese), from director and executive producer Shonda Rhimes, tells the incredible story of the false heiress. Based on the article How Anna Delvey Conned Party Members in New York, published by New York Magazine, the plot available on Netflix shows how Anna Sorokin managed to enter New York's elite circles posing as a German heiress with plans to open a private club for her artists.
Sorokin's house of cards collapsed after she was unable to pay her bill at the 11 Howard Hotel in New York. She later racked up thousands of dollars in other unpaid bills and bank loans and cashed numerous bad checks, eventually leading to her arrest in October 2017.
“The Invention of Anna” ends with Sorokin’s 2019 trial, where she is convicted on most charges.
Who is Anna Delvey?
Anna Sorokin was born in Russia to a middle-class family, grew up in Germany and arrived in New York in 2013, at the age of 20. There, she was convinced, from friends to financial institutions, that she was a socialite, wealthy, and well-traveled, living a luxurious life, always showing off on her social networks. The nickname “Delphi” was invented by her.
Upon moving to Manhattan, his initial plan was to create an exclusive arts club for prominent members. “Arts, fashion, entertainment, music, restaurants, all in one place,” he said. “The name will be Anna Delvey Foundation, ADF.” And she almost did it!
In May 2019, Anna was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison for defrauding hotels, restaurants, banks and a private jet operator of more than $200,000, according to The Guardian. In that time, she delayed the proceedings several times, throwing temper tantrums and drawing inelegant drawings of the lead prosecutor during testimony. But at the sentencing hearing, she apologized.
Sorokin was held at the Rikers Island Jail Complex in New York City in the lead-up to her trial. After her sentencing, she was sent to Albion Correctional Facility in upstate New York.
In October 2020, Sorokin apologized and expressed remorse during his parole hearing. “I just want to say that I am very embarrassed and I am sorry for what I did,” she said, according to a text reported by the New York Post. “I completely understand that a lot of people suffered when I thought I had done nothing wrong.”
Even then, in the New York Times interview, his opinion was completely different. “The thing is, I'm not sorry,” he told the newspaper in 2019. “I'd be lying to you, to everyone, and to myself if I said I was sorry about anything.” When those comments were questioned at his parole hearing, Sorokin claimed the reporter had “completely distorted” his words and taken them out of context.
Four months later, in February 2021, he was granted parole after serving nearly four years in prison. His sentence was shortened for good behaviour.
According to a 2021 Insider article, Sorokin helped produce the series and met Julia Garner, who plays her in the series. For her work, she received about $320,000, including the rights to adapt her story for television.
New York State invoked a rare 1977 “Son of Sam” law to ensure that Sorokin could not enjoy the money, but she was allowed to use her winnings to pay nearly $200,000 in compensation to several banks. Named after 1970s serial killer David Berkowitz, this law prevents criminals from profiting from their crimes.
After his release, Sorokin also sought to appeal the charges, with his lawyer claiming that his actions amounted to “a civil dispute and do not rise to the level of a crime.” She told Insider that the arrest was a “huge waste of time” and insisted she had a legitimate plan of action that she never had a chance to implement.
In February 2022, Sorokin wrote an article for Insider detailing her anger and disappointment about her incarceration, her experience contracting COVID-19 in prison, and her mixed feelings about the series' release.
In 2023, already under house arrest, it was announced that she would win a reality show about her life at home.
Eleanor Fairchild is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, presenting complex issues in an accessible and engaging way while maintaining a strong commitment to accuracy and relevance.