PROVIDENCE – In a stunning revelation of criminal enterprise, Bernard Klein, 39, from Brooklyn, NY, faced the music in a Providence courtroom, where he confessed to orchestrating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit clothing and apparel. The items, bearing fraudulent trademarks identical to those registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, were shipped from China and Pakistan to wholesalers across America, with some even reaching the hands of U.S. military personnel.
Klein, who conspired with New York wholesaler Ramin Kohanbash, 50, and at least one other party, played a pivotal role in arranging the mass production of these forgeries. According to court documents, Klein was provided with genuine samples by Kohanbash, which were then reproduced en masse. The process included sending photographs of the goods to Kohanbash for approval before mass production commenced.
The counterfeit wares included items such as FREE® hoods, Polartec® fleece shirts, and Gen III Level 7 parkas, all bearing fake Primaloft® hangtags. In August 2018, 60 counterfeit Polartec® shirts were shipped to a Rhode Island business, while October 2018 saw shipments of counterfeits sent to the Rhode Island National Guard. These shipments were part of an investigation that resulted from controlled purchases.
On Tuesday, Klein stood before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, along with numerous federal agents and officials, were present for the arraignment. Kohanbash had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and trafficking in counterfeit goods.
Klein is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4, 2020, while Kohanbash’s sentencing is set for January 22, 2021. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert, Zachary A. Cunha, and Lee H. Vilker are handling the prosecution of these cases.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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