Attorney General's News Release

January 4, 1996

Judge imposes $25,000 penalty on former Clayton rug dealer who failed to pay earlier $3,500 judgment

Clayton, Mo. — St. Louis County Circuit Judge Robert Campbell this morning ordered a former Clayton rug dealer to pay a $25,000 penalty after the dealer failed to pay a June 1995 court order of $3,500.

Attorney General Jay Nixon had obtained the earlier court order against Mohammed Fadaeefard, also known as Majid Fadaifar, for deceptive advertising and sales practices at his former business, Clayton Rug Gallery Inc. Fadaeefard acted as vice-president of the business.

Nixon had charged that Clayton Rug Gallery ran a false going-out-of-business sale during much of 1993 and that claims of 51 to 92 percent off rug prices were based on purely fictitious prices. Nixon obtained a court order in August 1993 barring Fadaeefard from conducting going-out-of business sales in Missouri.

The St. Louis County Circuit Court ordered Fadaeefard to pay $3,500 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Fund as a penalty for violating state consumer laws. When he failed to pay, Nixon asked the court to impose a penalty of $25,000 that had been suspended, in addition to the original $3,500 penalty.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818