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Several other customers who complained about Lev Stanik, 48, of Rahway have to take their cases to civil court, Police Chief Thomas Nielsen said.
The catch, Nielsen said, is that many of them "received some form of product from Stanik -- therefore, these incidents fall within the jurisdiction of the Bergen County Superior Court, Civil Part."
His officers were able to issue a summons in a case involving a woman who'd given Stanik a $2,000 down payment for six chairs that she never received, the chief said. Subpoenas were issued that helped detectives learn that he deposited the victim's check, Nielsen said.
Stanik owns Ornatti LLC on Commerce Road, sells home and business furniture to customers via MrFurniture.com, Furniture4Homes.com and Furniture4Homes.net, the chief said, adding that he also operated in the past under company names Modern Home Concepts, Viva Trade, Best Items Buy and Laflet Sabmax in the past.
Three other customers also complained, Nielsen said. After getting the run-around, they received merchandise that either was the wrong color, had pieces missing or was of lower quality than ordered, he said.
One of them had spent $22,000, the chief said.
The Bergen County Division of Consumer Affairs, in tandem with borough police, is "actively investigating additional consumer complaints" against Stanik and his company, Nielsen said.
Complaints include "poor customer service, receipt of improper furniture products, furniture that was ordered, paid for and never received, and in some cases, refunds issued to consumers via bad checks," he said.
Anyone with additional complaints is asked to contact Carlstadt Detective Sgt. John Cleary, (201) 531-7187 or jcleary@carlstadtpolice.org, or the Bergen County Office of Consumer Affairs: (201) 336-6400.
Stanik was scheduled for a first Carlstadt Municipal Court appearance on Feb 18.
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