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Lev Stanik of Rahway and Roman Tyger of Brooklyn failed to deliver merchandise or provide refunds the state Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs alleged in a lawsuit filed in Union County two years ago.
Some customers were told the furniture they ordered had been discontinued, while others were given refund checks that bounced, authorities said.
Both operated LaFurniture & Design Ltd on Bergen Boulevard in Ridgefield, in addition to other businesses in the state: LaFlat, Inc.; LaFlat Group, Inc.; LaFurniture Corp.; LaFurniture Group, Inc.; and Tyger Furniture, a/k/a “TG Furniture Group.”
They also operated various furniture sale web sites.
“This settlement holds the defendants accountable for their alleged violations and requires them to pay a substantial sum, which will be used toward restitution for affected customers,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.
“Our consumer protections laws exist to protect against the unscrupulous practices alleged here,” he said. “These businesses are required to follow our consumer protection laws going forward and we fully expect that they will do so.”
Of the total settlement, $240,000 is suspended, but will become due and payable if any terms of the consent judgment are violated, Hoffman said.
The balance will be paid by Stanik, Tyger, and their businesses and will be distributed to alleged victims as restitution, he said.
Furniture and home furnishing complaints were in the top 10 of those received by state authorities last year, acting DCA Director Steve Lee said.
Investigator Raquel Davis-Williams in the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection conducted the investigation.
Deputy Attorney General Alina Wells in the Division of Law’s Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section represented the DCA.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the DCA by CLICKING HERE or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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