Seller of Counterfeit Brand Clothing Fined
A Van Nuys woman must pay $1,450 in fines after pleading no contest to selling apparel marked with counterfeit Nike, Disney and Calvin Klein brand names at a North Hollywood swap meet, the Los Angeles city attorney’s office said.
Bong Chul Lee, 41, was fined and ordered by Los Angeles Municipal Judge Harold Crowder to forfeit her confiscated merchandise after entering her plea Thursday, according to City Atty. Jim Hahn.
The case grew out of an investigation by police and the Western Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, which represents several high-profile manufacturers.
In December, coalition investigators spotted Lee selling phony merchandise and advised her it was illegal, Hahn said. Investigators returned in January to find the T-shirts, sweat suits, jackets and hats still on sale. They seized 915 items and turned them over to police for disposal.
Ted Goldstein, a spokesman for Hahn, said the problem of counterfeiting has continued to grow over the past several years.
“There are no limits to the creativity of the entrepreneurs who dream up these schemes,” he said.
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