SCHENECTADY -- A city businessman has been indicted on 49 criminal counts charging him with trafficking hundreds of thousands of dollars of fake brand-name merchandise, stolen property and weapons, the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office said.

Prosecutors allege Lawrence Farfield, 70, who operated several businesses on Chrisler Avenue in the city and neighboring Rotterdam, also failed to pay iemployees and accurately report their salaries to the state Department of Labor.

All but six of the charges against Farfield are felonies.

Farfield is charged with three counts of first-degree trademark counterfeiting for possessing more than $100,000 worth of knockoffs falsely claiming to be goods from big-name firms, including Nike, Coach, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

Farfield is charged with possessing the bogus items at American Wear on Chrisler Avenue and Safe Storage on Altamont Avenue in February. Prosecutors say he also sold brass knuckles and stun guns.

District Attorney Robert Carney credited the work of Assistant District Attorney Katie Q. McCutcheon and Jennifer Assini, bureau chief of the Investigations and Intelligence Unit.

Farfield's attorney, Steven X. Kouray, said he questions the validity of the charges.

  


Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Dealer-faces-gun-bogus-sales-case-1456588.php#ixzz1RTxDlCzT

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SCHENECTADY
Accused counterfeit retailer arraigned, freed on bail
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.com.

    A city businessman indicted earlier this month on 49 separate counts accusing him of possessing thousands of dollars in counterfeit trademark items, stolen property and weapons posted a $30,000 bond Friday to remain free pending trial.
    Lawrence Farfield, 71, of 1108 Van Velsen St., appeared Friday in Schenectady County Court for arraignment on the indictment. With his attorney, Steve Kouray, at his side, he pleaded innocent to all counts.
    At the arraignment, Judge Karen Drago advised Farfield that, if convicted of the most serious charge against him, he faces a maximum of five to 15 years in state prison.
    Farfield is accused of possessing more than $100,000 worth of counterfeit trademarked merchandise at American Wear, 1702 Chrisler Ave., in February, including Nike, Coach, Chanel, Dooney & Bourke, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and UGG items.
    The investigation reaches back a year and a half and includes charges filed last summer and in February. The bulk of the counts relate to a February raid at American Wear. Prosecutors have described Farfi eld as the operator of American Wear, but not the owner. ..........................>>>>...................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01402&AppName=1