Lakewood Woman Sold Counterfeit Gucci, Chanel Items: Prosecutor

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood woman has been charged with counterfeiting, accused of selling fake designer clothing and handbags and claiming they were authentic, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Courtney C. Michaels, 25, was arrested following a search of her home that turned up numerous counterfeit items, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Authorities say Michaels was importing large volumes of counterfeit designer handbags, jewelry, and clothing from overseas, and advertised them as designer brands including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci. She then sold them at a fraction of the cost of the authentic merchandise through her retail websites to people across the United States, Billhimer said.

The search warrant and charges were the result of an investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Police, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Homeland Security.

Michaels was processed at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and released on a summons pending a future court appearance, Billhimer said.

>>>Want to win Six Flags Great Adventure Season Passes? Here's how.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Lakewood Patch on Facebook.