Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the arrest and charging of a Simi Valley resident for allegedly selling counterfeit goods at her residence. The arrest, conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Investigation (BI) as part of the Los Angeles Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy (TRUE) Task Force, targeted a suspect engaged in the sale of counterfeit Rolex watches and other high-end luxury brand products through social media platforms.

In response to the arrest, Attorney General Bonta emphasized the detrimental effects of counterfeit operations, stating, “The impact of counterfeit operations are deep and widespread. Such operations harm businesses, dupe consumers into buying inferior products, and take jobs from workers who manufacture legitimate products.” He commended the collaborative efforts of the legal and investigative teams at the DOJ, along with their partners in local, state, and federal agencies, for their exceptional work leading to the arrest.

During the arrest, law enforcement seized a significant amount of evidence, including $35,000 in U.S. currency, counterfeit Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches, as well as various other counterfeit items such as handbags, wallets, and belts, totaling approximately $503,000 in value. The suspect was taken into custody by the Simi Valley Police Department and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff's jail, with prosecution being handled by the California Department of Justice.

The operation was a result of the diligent investigation conducted by members of the TRUE Task Force, which comprises agencies such as the California Employment Development Department, the California Franchise Tax Board, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. The TRUE Task Force focuses on investigating and prosecuting various economic crimes in the underground economy, including counterfeiting, tax evasion, money laundering, and more.

It is important to note that while criminal charges have been filed, every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. More information about the TRUE Task Force and its initiatives can be found on the official California Department of Justice website.

A copy of the criminal complaint related to this case is available for public access.