UPDATE: Fabiola Carisimo’s arraignment has been scheduled for February 18, 2025.
On January 16, 2025, Fabiola Carisimo Franco, a woman whose scandals have kept Miami buzzing, was arrested for shoplifting at Macy’s in Dadeland Mall. The crime itself—stealing $337 worth of clothing—wouldn’t normally be a big deal, except that Fabiola has become notorious for possibly “committing the dumbest marriage fraud in Florida history.”
Once referred to by admirers as “the strongest woman they knew” and “the kind of independent woman everybody wanted to be,” flaunting a lifestyle of luxury and privilege. Friends used to say, “Don’t mess with Fabiola. You have no idea who she is.”
We know who she is now. Jail# 250121966. Fabiola Carisimo Franco is to marriage fraud what Tren de Aragua is to the southern border crisis.
Caught Red-Handed: A Tale of Petty Theft
Macy’s loss prevention officer, Patience Mene, observed Carisimo on CCTV as she carefully selected clothing, carried it into a fitting room, and emerged with a suspiciously lighter load. What was left behind? Empty hangers. According to the affidavit, “IT IS TO BE NOTED THE DEFENDANT HAS PREVIOUSLY SHOPLIFTED IN THE PAST AT THE SAME LOCATION.“. Moments later, Carisimo was seen casually strolling past all points of sale, the stolen items hidden in her brown purse.
Carisimo acted as though her presence alone excused her from paying, but Macy’s security staff had other plans. At 7:05 PM, she was apprehended and handed over to Miami-Dade Police, who transported her to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (TGK) – not the kind of luxury spa Fabiola is probably used to.
EXCERPT FROM ARREST AFFIDAVIT
Defendant via CCTV selecting clothing items and proceeded to the fitting room where the items were concealed inside brown purse.
IT IS TO BE NOTED THE DEFENDANT HAS PREVIOUSLY SHOPLIFTED IN THE PAST AT THE SAME LOCATION.
The defendant was in possession of the stolen property when stopped by loss prevention. The stolen property was confirmed to be stolen by loss prevention employee Xiara Felix.
The defendant was then observed passing all points of sale without making any attempts to pay for the items worth a total of $337.00.
The defendant was apprehended outside of the business after all points of sale where the items were recovered on scene. Sgt I. Riaz read the defendant miranda per card and the defendant invoked her rights the defendant was charged accordingly and transported to TGK [Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center]

A Life of Lies, Crimes and Misdemeanors
This shoplifting arrest might seem like a minor incident, but it is merely the latest addition to a career riddled with fraud and scandal. Carisimo has quickly built herself a reputation as one of Miami’s unluckiest criminals. Among her most notable offenses:
- Sham Marriage Scandal: Carisimo orchestrated a $20,000 fraudulent marriage with Julimir Marrero Perez, which fell apart after just two weeks. When the scheme unraveled, Carisimo falsely accused Marrero of domestic abuse in an attempt to exploit the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for immigration benefits. Her divorce application was thrown out of court twice by Judge Abby Cynamon. All of this unfolded while Carisimo maintained a supposed eight-year relationship with her Argentine boyfriend—a fact that underscores the brazenness of her sham marriage.
- Other Allegations: Rumors of stealing money from close friends, credit card fraud, and extorting money from married men have followed her for years
Lies, Scandals, and the Collapse of a Persona
Carisimo’s latest arrest has exposed the fragility of the persona she worked so hard to build. She was once known for flaunting designer clothes and playing the role of a high-society woman. Today, she appears to be a shell of the woman she once was.
Failed PR Campaign
In a desperate attempt to salvage her reputation, Carisimo hired a reputation management company to create fake articles and rebuild her public image. However, critics have called the campaign superficial and ineffective, with one expert remarking:
“She’s clearly operating under the Dunning-Kruger effect—she has an inflated sense of her own ability to manage her image but lacks the actual skills to do so. Instead of focusing on restoring her dignity, she’s treating it like another Instagram photo shoot, oblivious to how much damage she’s causing to her credibility.”
Colleague’s Testimony:
A former colleague at Avanti Way Realty recalled, “She would dress like it was a fashion show every day and wouldn’t do any work”
A Legacy of Scandal and Failure
From her petty theft at Macy’s to her ridiculous fraudulent marriage scheme, Fabiola Carisimo Franco’s life is a masterclass in self-destruction. Her latest arrest is a stark reminder that no matter how much she schemes, the truth will always catch up with her.
With Judge Julie Harris Nelson presiding over her case, Carisimo’s attempts to avoid accountability may finally come to an end. The only question left is: How much further can she fall before hitting rock bottom?
Legal Consequences

Carisimo faces charges of misdemeanor petit theft under Florida statute 812.014(3)(A), yet another stain on her already dubious record.

Judge Julie Harris Nelson has been assigned to the case. Judge Nelson is a well-respected jurist, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019, who serves as a county court judge in the criminal division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida.
Carisimo has retained Ricardo P. Hermida, an experienced criminal defense lawyer based in Coral Gables, Florida. He has been practicing state and federal criminal defense work since 1987, representing hundreds of clients throughout their legal proceedings.
A Stain on the Argentina Diaspora

Carisimo’s actions stand in stark contrast to the countless Argentines who have immigrated to the United States in pursuit of honest work and a better future. While many strive to uphold the values of diligence and respect, Carisimo has instead chosen a path of dishonesty and crime.
Her behavior has sparked outrage within her community, with one Miami resident stating, “She’s an embarrassment to all of us who work hard every day to make an honest living.” Many within the Argentine diaspora have expressed deep disappointment in her actions, as her actions do not reflect the values they hold dear.
Support and ‘Save Fabiola’ Group
However, not everyone is ready to give up on Carisimo. A small group of her friends has formed a “Save Fabiola” campaign, arguing that she’s being framed. Their defense? Fabiola’s beauty and great style have been both a blessing and a curse. According to them, people are simply jealous of her looks and lifestyle, which is why she’s been unfairly targeted. They claim the Macy’s incident was nothing more than a misunderstanding, blown out of proportion by those envious of her glamorous persona.
The Unraveling of a Sham Persona
Fabiola Carisimo Franco once presented herself as a woman of sophistication, living a life of luxury. However, her actions—ranging from a fraudulent marriage to her recent arrest for shoplifting—have exposed the truth behind her carefully crafted image.
Her reputation, once associated with privilege, is now tainted, and her credibility has been shattered.
A Fall from Grace
Carisimo’s repeated mistakes have led to a sharp decline in her public image. Once seen as a figure of influence, she is now defined by her involvement in criminal activities, from the sham marriage to the theft at Macy’s.
Her story serves as a reminder of the dangers of living beyond one’s means, and the consequences of a life built on deception.
Conclusion: A Final Reckoning
Fabiola Carisimo’s case is far from over, but her reputation has already suffered irreparable damage. Her attempts at redemption are likely to fall short, as the truth of her actions is now clear to the public.