A New York woman was arrested after investigators discovered she sold counterfeit designer items from her boutique in Long Island.
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Lindsay Castelli,31, was charged last Friday after turning herself in to police in Nassau County. Investigators said their search of Castelli’s store, Linny’s Boutique, started last April and discovered items with synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit labels with clothing and jewelry. On October 4, Asset Forfeiture Detectives searched through the store again after obtaining a search warrant and removed 22 press printing machines plus items labeled under Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Ugg and others.
Officials said the combined value of the items totaled up to $40 million and Castelli sold products that were shipped all over the United States. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder explained during a press conference that the boutique would use a $3 items such as a hat and heat seal the designer logo then label it at a price of $300.
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“A simple $10 sweatshirt, you put the Chanel brand on it, it sells for $5,300. A $10 sweatshirt with a counterfeit sticker — $5,300.”
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After learning the news of her arrest, several customers and curious Instagram followers commented on the boutique’s Intagram page, stating they could tell that some of the items were fake.
“Was she really selling this stuff for hundreds and thousands? I question the validity of that. I think this was the same stuff that all these little shops do where they sell sweatshirts with a logo that everybody know is fake… But I doubt she was selling stuff for thousands. If you look at the pictures of the rest of her store doesn’t look like there’s anything that was selling for thousands.”
Another user said, “Wait, this is the stuff people were paying luxury prices for? From thos photo I can tell it’s fake.” In response to this comments, a woman said several small mom and pop boutiques sell similar items and their customers are aware that the designer items are not authentic.
“Exactly.. there’s tons of people that sell this stuff… it’s not real and the customers know it. Who the heck was her customer? Chanel doesn’t make those items.. these are just a cute spin off that MANY boutiques make and sell. If she was peddling them as ‘real’ then she should have to deal w the charges.”
Castelli was charged with trademark counterfeiting in the second degree. She is expected to appear in court next month. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly warned other boutique owners about the arrest and said they will seize any counterfeit merchandise.
“We will arrest you and seize your merchandise. It’s not worth it. They work hard to build a brand, and what’s going on here is people are stealing that brand and then are deceiving the public.”
Additionally, Castelli’s boutique was shut down and it is unknown if it’ll be reopened due to the seizing of goods.