BREAKING NEWS – Smithtown, New York – A New York boutique owner turned herself into police after an 18-month undercover investigation into her business operations led to a discovery of over $40 million in counterfeit items.
Nassau County police said 31-year-old Lindsay Castelli, of Smithtown, sold fake designer items to unsuspecting customers through her website and storefront, Linny’s Boutique.
Police said 22 printing press machines were removed from her business during the execution of the search warrant. Various knock-off items with Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg and Louis Vuitton labels were also found at the store.
“A simple $10 sweatshirt, you put the Chanel brand on it, it sells for $5,300,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. “They would take a hat, a $3 hat, a 50-cent item on the side. They would heat seal it onto the hat and sell the hat for $300.”
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” stated her attorney. “Thus I find it outrageous that my client may be going to prison for a long time, for simply handing out a compliment!”