State Fair vendors charged with selling knock-off goods
State and local authorities seized more than $80,000 in counterfeit goods during a Wednesday raid on vendors at the State Fair, but one of those vendors was still open for business Thursday night.
Posted — UpdatedThe goods ranged from plaques with NFL team logos and Disney characters to designer handbags, officials with the North Carolina Secretary of State's Office said Thursday.
Martin Cohen, 50, of Jensen Beach, Fla., was charged with one felony count of criminal use of a counterfeit trademark. He is accused of having bogus plaques and other items with Disney characters and professional sports team logos.
James Paul McDermott and Teresa Ann McDermott, both of Gladstone, Mo., were charged with misdemeanor trademark violations for what appeared to be counterfeit handbags.
The McDermott's booth was still open for business Thursday night. When approached by a WRAL News reporter, James McDermott said he did not want to comment.
Fair spokesman Brian Long said the merchandise at the McDermott's booth on Thursday night was all legitimate, according to authorities he spoke with.
"If you come out here and sell goods, they need to be legitimate. If you don't, you are going to pay the price," Long said.
The State Fair features approximately 400 booths. If customers spot what they think is fake merchandise, they should let fair officials know.
The Raleigh Police Department, the Wake County Sheriff's Office and the State Fairgrounds police assisted in Wednesday's raid.
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