$2M in Counterfeit Clothing Seized in Hicksville May Go to the Needy: DA

HICKSVILLE, NY- A Hicksville retailer who pleaded guilty Tuesday to importing more than $2 million worth of counterfeit coats and jeans is being required to pay for safety testing to see if the clothes are fit to be donated to the needy, according to Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Nonprofits that receive donated counterfeit clothing are typically required to inspect or pay for the inspection of clothing to make sure the items keep up with federal consumer safety standards, but Haryash Paul, 64, will instead be paying for the expenses as part of his plea deal, the DA says.

“It’s not often that we get the opportunity to help so many people in need as the result of a criminal disposition,” Singas said in a press release. “I hope that this clothing will pass safety testing so that thousands of people who need a winter coat or a pair of jeans will be able to get them.”

Paul was arrested Dec. 21 after the NCDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at the facilities, located at 230 Engineers Drive, and seized 50,000 counterfeit The North Face jackets and 1,000 pairs of True Religion Jeans, which were allegedly shipped to New York from Bangladesh.

The DA said the coats seized were in various styles, sizes and colors with a combined street value in excess of $2 million.

Paul allegedly sold the jackets through two businesses: Manhattan-based Glamour Line Inc. and a Jericho-based business known as TRB Designs and Resources, Inc.

Paul pleaded guilty Tuesday to first degree attempted trademark counterfeiting and second degree trademark counterfeiting.

As part of his plea deal, Paul will also be required to pay for the post-search-warrant storage fees for the tens of thousands of clothing items. If he complies with all of the conditions of the plea, Paul will receive a three-year conditional discharge. He faces six months in jail and five years of probation if he does not comply.

The coats and jeans, if found to be safe for distribution, will be given to not-for-profit organizations that collect and donate clothing.

“Mr. Paul’s guilty plea sends a strong message to those who attempt to profit by selling counterfeit products to consumers, that there is a steep price to pay for their greed,” said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge HSI New York. “Fortunately we have been able to take one mans greed and turn it around by donating these clothes to the needy if they pass the necessary safety testing.”

The North Face and True Religion companies will be notified of the intention to donate the counterfeit clothing to help people in need, per New York State General Business Law. If the companies object, they have the ability to object the donations in writing within 30 days.

Image via NCDA