Customers of these companies were unable to obtain refunds, and in some cases, were not told furniture they ordered had been discontinued, according to the State’s eight-count Complaint filed in State Superior Court in Union County. In other instances, refund checks issued to consumers bounced due to lack of funds.

“The alleged deceit and deception committed by these defendants will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “Consumers were defrauded of their hard-earned money and we are working to obtain restitution and to hold these defendants accountable.”

The defendants named in this complaint are Lev Stanik, 45, of Rahway, N.J., and Roman Tyger, 45, of Brooklyn, N.Y. They operated the following furniture businesses: LaFlat Inc., LaFlat Group, Inc.; LaFurniture & Design Ltd.; LaFurniture Corp.; LaFurniture Group, Inc.; and Tyger Furniture a/k/a TG Furniture Group.

The businesses are located in Rahway, Ridgefield, Lyndhurst, Fair Lawn and Edison. Transactions also were conducted through multiple websites maintained by the defendants.

“Furniture is a major expense and the approximately 39 consumers who have filed complaints to date are collectively owed over $100,000,” said Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. “Through this action, we hope to get this money back and stop these companies from defrauding other consumers.”

The state’s Complaint charges that the defendants violated the state’s Consumer Fraud Act through various actions, including:

• Missing specified delivery dates;
• Not replacing non-conforming or damaged furniture;
• Non-delivery of furniture;
• Not issuing refunds;
• Charging consumers even after orders were cancelled;
• Failing to display the selling price;
• Employing bait-and-switch tactics; and
• Failing to post a refund policy.

Regulations governing mail order practices and advertising also allegedly were violated.

Investigator Raquel Williams in the Commercial Fraud Unit within the Office of Consumer Protection conducted the investigation of this case. Deputy Attorney General Sabina McKinney in the Division of Law’s Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section is representing the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey ) or 973-504-6200.

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