6 The QUEE NS Courier • december 18, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Seven Queens residents charged with selling fake designer goods worth $2.2 million BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAF [email protected]/@QueensCourier Buying fake designer bags may be a cheaper option this holiday season, but selling fake Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel handbags proved costly for seven Queens residents. The seven were arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Dec. 10 on charges of second-degree trademark counterfeiting for selling fake designer handbags, gloves, wallets, watches and other goods worth more than $2.2 million, according to District Attorney Richard Brown. The defendants have been identified as Naqing Zhang, 31, and his wife, Wei Wei Dong, 32, of Whitestone; Chin C. Chu, 43, and his wife, Jian Y. Xia, 38, of Flushing; Sai E. Chen, 39, also of Flushing; Wei A. Liao, 41, of Jamaica; and Pizhong Zhou, 22, of Douglaston. The arrests were the result of an investigation — dubbed “Operation Treasure Hunt” — that began this summer. It was a joint investigation, conducted by the New York Police Department’s Organized Crime Investigations Bureau, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the District Attorney’s Economic Crimes Bureau. The defendants were caught after each of them sold multiple fake designer goods — Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags; boots and jackets bearing logos of The North Face, UGG and Michael Kors; and Beats by Dr. Dre headphones — to undercover operatives between August and December 2014. “Trademark counterfeiting is not a victimless crime,” said Brown, adding that these operations fuel an underground economy. “They are cash businesses that pay no taxes, damage the reputations of reputable brand owners and lower consumer confidence in the name brands by foisting inferior products into the marketplace.” The defendants, who each face up to four years in prison if convicted, were released on their own recognizance and are scheduled to return to court on Jan. 27. Photo courtesy Queens District Attorney’s office Queens District Attorney Richard Brown with the seized counterfeit goods. BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. with this ad. • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds Nobody Beats Our Prices! • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 12/26/14 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 12/26/14 $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 12/26/14 GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE SERVING QUEENS AND LONG ISLAND 1.800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com JOHN J. CIAFONE, Esq. Attorney & Counselor at Law Your Partner In The Struggle For Justice ON THE LAW with John J. Ciafone Esq. Q: I had a child with my girlfriend out of wedlock. We lived together until she received an Order of Protection against me for “threatening her.” Since then, she refuses to allow me to see my child. What can I do? A: If it was determined that you are the natural parent of the child, you must fi le a petition in Family Court in the County that your child resides in, for an Order of Visitation and Custody. So long as there is no Order of Protection against you vis-a-vis the child you have a right to visitation and custody. The Court will assist you in obtaining same since there is a strong desire for Family Court to ensure that visitation rights are not violated and that the child is given an opportunity to spend time with their natural parents. • Personal Injury/ Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Wills/Estates • Criminal • Medical Malpractice* • Real Estate • Commer./Corp./ Business • Matrimonial/ Divorce • Bankruptcy • Elder Law • Trial Lawyer Serving the needs of our community 24 Hours/7 Days 25-59 Steinway St., Suite 2F, Astoria, NY 11103 718-278-3900 *FREE CONSULTATION AT HOME, HOSPITAL OR WORK
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