Attorney General's News Release

June 4, 1996

Joplin shop owners accused of selling counterfeit goods pay $2,000 restitution for consumers, $1,000 to the state

Jefferson City, Mo. — The owners of a Joplin clothing store charged with violating Missouri consumer laws by selling counterfeit merchandise have paid $2,000 for consumer restitution and $1,000 to help fund consumer education and investigations, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today.

Harry B. Forest and Kelly L. Forest, who own His & Hers at 2320 Main, also have been ordered by the Jasper County Circuit Court to no longer sell or advertise counterfeit merchandise at their store. Nixon filed suit against the Forests and the owners of seven other stores around the state in March after undercover investigators from the Attorney General's Office purchased supposed name-brand items at the businesses and then verified that the goods were counterfeit.

The “knock off” clothing, sunglasses, jewelry and other goods were sold to consumers under such name brands as Nike, Calvin Klein, No Fear, Oakley, Disney, Guess?, Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica.

“This injunction sends a strong message that we won't tolerate the deception of consumers with counterfeit goods,” Nixon said. “Consumers expect a certain level of quality when they purchase name-brand goods, and shoddy name-brand knock offs are an abuse of that trust.”

In addition to the restitution, the Forests paid $1,000 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund, which is used to fund consumer education programs and offset the costs of consumer investigations. If they violate the terms of the consent injunction, the Attorney General's Office can seek additional penalties against them.

Consumers who purchased counterfeit merchandise at His & Hers may be eligible for restitution as part of the consent injunction. Any customer who purchased merchandise at His & Hers without knowing the merchandise was counterfeit should contact the Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotline at 800-392-8222, or send a letter, including a description of the items purchased, to Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, P.O. Box 899, Jefferson City, MO 65102 by July 31, 1996.

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