Man Pleads Guilty In Case Of Fake Razor Blades
GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) - A Florida man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit merchandise in a case involving fake Gillette razor blades sold in West Michigan.
Jeffrey Telsey, 57, faces up to five years in prison when sentenced following Monday's plea in federal court.
The razors were imported from China and distributed to a "large regional retail store" in West Michigan through Telsey's company, JCA Enterprises, a national distributor of health-and-beauty products.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru said prior to November 2007 and continuing through March 2010 Telsey obtained counterfeit Gillette-brand razors, including "Fusion" and "Mach3," from multiple sources, including a New Jersey importer who obtained the counterfeit blades from China.
Mekaru said Telsey also sold the razor blades to two national wholesalers, who allegedly demanded refunds after discovering the products were counterfeit.
Telsey denied wrongdoing and his defense attorney argued that Telsey's own company suffered damages.
The government has seized $400,000 from Telsey. Details about the retailer involved in the case weren't released by authorities.
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