El Monte Toy Importer Charged with Possessing, Manufacturing $1.4 million in Counterfeit Goods

Los Angeles–The owner of an El Monte toy import business has been charged with manufacturing and possessing more than $1.4 million in counterfeit goods, including plush toys, backpacks and playing cards, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.

Wan Piao (dob 8/31/82), aka Edison Piao or Edisson Park, is charged in case BA481608 with seven felony counts of counterfeit of registered mark. The charges include an allegation of taking more than $500,000 through fraud and embezzlement.

He is expected to be arraigned on Dec. 4 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The case was filed for arrest warrant on Oct. 4 and Piao was arrested on Nov. 1.

The defendant is accused of manufacturing and possessing for sale more than 500,000 knock-off items, according to Deputy District Attorney Duke Chau of the Consumer Protection Division. The products were discovered by law enforcement on March 21, 2017, at Piao’s two El Monte warehouses.

The counterfeited brands identified in the felony complaint include Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Angry Birds, Lego Ninjago, JanSport, Shopkins and Super Mario.

If convicted as charged, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 12 years in custody. Bail is set at $370,000.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here