Colorado attorney general announces 4 people indicted following the local seizure of nearly $300,000 in counterfeit cycling gear

DENVER — Four individuals were indicted recently for computer crime, filing false tax returns and trademark counterfeiting for selling counterfeit cycling jerseys and bicycle components on the Internet, announced Monday by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. Counterfeit items seized from the main target's apartment have an estimated industry manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) value of $285,306.

According to the indictment, Piotr Abramczyk, 29, Pawel Abramczyk, 34, and Donatas Juodzevicius, 32, opened eBay accounts to facilitate illegally selling counterfeit merchandise. Records show sales of more than $200,000 between 2008 and 2012. Piotr and Pawel Abramczyk are brothers. Sally Sogue, 28, is married to Piotr Abramczyk and was indicted for filing false tax returns.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation, and worked in cooperation with the Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Colorado Department of Revenue. Significant assistance was also provided by Specialized Bicycles Brand Security and eBay.

"Our Homeland Security Investigations counterfeit and cyber enforcement operations play an important role in protecting U.S. trademarks, especially when we team up with other agencies," said Kumar C. Kibble, special agent in charge of HSI Denver. "Enforcing U.S. trademarks helps protect U.S. jobs while also protecting consumers from inferior merchandise."

Selling counterfeit merchandise is a crime that has significant public safety consequences, and causes economic losses in the form of lost jobs and lost income to legitimate companies.

An indictment is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime. Each defendant should be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Comments

15 Gang Members Convicted on Conspiracy, Weapons Possession, Firearms Trafficking Charges Case Follows Recent Convictions of 137th Street Crew and East Harlem Narcotics Trafficking Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the results of the investigation and prosecution of one of Central Harlem’s most destructive criminal street gangs, referred to as “ONE TWENTY-NINE” or “GOODFELLAS/THE NEW DONS,” which terrorized the neighborhood surrounding West 129th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Thirteen members of the gang have previously pleaded guilty to importing, possessing, and using firearms over the course of the conspiracy.

The Myth, The Matrix, and The Malpractice: Unpacking the Sophia Stewart Saga

The internet loves a good underdog story, especially one where a lone creator battles Hollywood giants. Few tales have captivated online forums and social media quite like that of Sophia Stewart, the woman who famously sued the creators of The Matrix and The Terminator, claiming they stole her work, "The Third Eye." Her story is a complex tapestry woven with claims of stolen genius, judicial conflicts, and attorney negligence. Let's untangle the legal facts from the compelling narrative and examine the heart of her claims. The Core Allegation: "The Third Eye" and the Blockbusters Sophia Stewart alleged that her copyrighted manuscript, "The Third Eye," conceived in 1981 and finalized in 1983, was the blueprint for two of the most iconic sci-fi franchises: The Terminator (first film 1984) and The Matrix (first film 1999). From her perspective, the similarities were undeniable. Stewart’s supporters often point to broad, impactful themes and ev...

Charlie Kirk Was Right, and Charlie Kirk Was Wrong: The Enduring Legacy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, has argued that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was unnecessary, contending that the 14th Amendment should have been sufficient to guarantee equal rights. There's a compelling argument to be made for both sides of this statement. Let's break down where Kirk was right and, more importantly, where historical context reveals he was profoundly wrong. Where Charlie Kirk Was "Right" (In Theory) Kirk's theoretical point hinges on the idea that fundamental constitutional principles, if interpreted and enforced correctly, should have negated the need for additional legislation. And, in a perfect world, he would be correct. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, explicitly states that "no State shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The intent was to ensure all citizens, particularly newly freed African Americans, were treated equally under the law. If this ...

New York Paralegal Blog

Search This Blog