Attorney General's News Release

July 31, 1996

Springfield shop accused of selling counterfeit goods to pay $1,500 restitution for consumers, $2,500 to the state

Jefferson City, Mo. — The owner of a Springfield store charged with violating Missouri consumer laws by selling counterfeit merchandise will pay $1,500 for consumer restitution and $2,500 to help fund consumer education and investigations, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today.

Kimmy S. Clayton, who owns Body Connections at 2421 S. Campbell, has already paid $2,000 as part of yesterday's court order. She also was ordered by the Greene County Circuit Court to no longer sell or advertise counterfeit merchandise at the store.

Nixon filed suit against Clayton 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, Dooney & Bourke, No Fear, Oakley, Disney, Guess?, Tommy Hilfiger and Polo.

“This court order 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, Clayton will pay $2,500 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund, which is used to fund consumer education programs and offset the costs of consumer investigations. If she violates the terms of the consent injunction, the Attorney General's Office can seek additional penalties against her.

Consumers who purchased counterfeit merchandise at Body Connections may be eligible for restitution as part of the consent injunction. Any customer who purchased merchandise at Body Connections 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 Oct. 28, 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