|
RAPAPORT... Twelve jewelers in New Jersey face allegations that they violated laws protecting consumers who sought to trade precious metal for cash. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, State Office of Weights and Measures, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wayne Police Department announced 171 state civil complaints and 30 municipal code violations against the dozen retailers, following a joint undercover sting operation dubbed “Operation Going for Gold.” New Jersey law requires the buyer to weigh the precious metals and test their fineness --within clear sight of the seller-- with a scale that has been certified by the Office of Weights and Measures, and he must post a sign clearly showing the prices he or she offers, by weight and fineness, for various precious metals. New Jersey also requires the seller to obtain proof of identification from the seller and create a serialized receipt that includes the date of the transaction; the name, address, and signature of the seller; the name and address of the buyer; the types of precious metals purchased, as well as their weight and fineness, and the prices paid. The buyer must give the seller a copy of the receipt and keep another copy for the buyer’s own records for at least one year. The buyer also must retain any precious metals in the form in which they were purchased for no less than two business days.  Each state violation carries a maximum penalty of $500. The Wayne Township municipal code violations each carry a potential penalty of up to $2,000, as well as up to 90 days incarceration, or 90 days community service. “When consumers choose to part with their jewelry in exchange for cash, it is often a difficult decision made during hard economic times,” said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. “Our laws protect those consumers, by helping to ensure transparency by jewelers who price, weigh, and evaluate the precious metals brought in by individuals seeking to sell them. Jewelers who fail to comply with these laws will be held accountable.” Investigators said they went undercover and visited six jewelers with individual booths at the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, located at 113 Route 46 West; five jewelers with individual booths at the Jewelry Exchange at 1 West Belt Plaza and Jewelry by Marcus, located at 24 Route 46 East -- all in Wayne Township. The investigators offered jewelry to sell, while observing whether the jewelers followed state laws and municipal ordinances on the buying and selling of precious metals. According to the state's documents, Bayar Jewelers, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 15 civil complaints from the State Office of Weights and Measure. Paul Akay, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Bayar Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh and test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified or approved by the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures. At D’Malke Jewelers, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, investigators filed seven civil complaints. Neil Akdemir, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces one municipal code violation. Among other things, D’Malke Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh precious items in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals and failed to issue the receipt required by law. Investigators filed 12 civil complaints against Gallo Jewelry, also located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center. Rudi Ceylan, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Gallo Jewelry allegedly failed to test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. At the Jewelery Exchange, Jewelry by Eric faces 13 civil complaints. Fehini M. Eric, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Jewelry by Eric allegedly failed to weigh or test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. With a location at the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, Jewelry by Jakup faces 15 civil complaints. Aydin Akdemit, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Jewelry by Jakup allegedly failed to weigh or test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified or approved by the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures. Jewelry by Marcus, located at 24 Route 46 East, faces 33 civil complaints. Hobil AkBolut, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Jewelry by Marcus allegedly failed to weigh and test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. Kemerli Millennium International, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 14 civil complaints. Serife Bulbul, who allegedly purchased gold at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Kemerli Millennium International allegedly failed to weigh precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified or approved by the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures. M.A. Jewelers, also located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 13 civil complaints. Murat Akdemit, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Among other things, M.A. Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh and test the fineness of previous metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law.. Obsession Diamonds, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 15 civil complaints. Emmitt C. Devli, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Obsession Diamonds allegedly failed to weigh or test the fineness of precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. The company also allegedly used a scale that had not been certified or approved by the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures. Pink Diamond, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 11 civil complaints. Alexander Bendarsky, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces two municipal code violations. Pink Diamond allegedly failed to weigh precious metals in plain view of the seller; and failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification. Pink Diamond also allegedly failed to retain a gold necklace, sold by the investigators, for the minimum required amount of time. Within one hour of the initial sale, the item had already been transferred to another jeweler, was on display in that jeweler’s showcase, and was available for sale to the public, according to state documents. Six Stars Jewelers, located in the Jewelry Exchange, faces 12 civil complaints. Gabriel Akay, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Among other things, Six Stars Jewelers allegedly failed to weigh precious metals in plain view of the seller; failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. Verdi Jewelry, located in the Wayne Diamond and Jewelry Exchange Center, faces 11 civil charges. Siro Zakaria, who allegedly purchased jewelry at the store, faces three municipal code violations. Six Star Jewelers allegedly failed to post the prices offered for precious metals; failed to obtain the seller’s proof of identification; and failed to issue the receipt required by law. “Consumers deserve clear and accurate information when they shop around for the best value for their family’s jewelry. That’s why the Office of Weights and Measures certifies the scales, ensures jewelers test and weigh precious metals right in front of the consumer, and that they provide a detailed receipt about the items purchased,” said Eric T. Kanefsky, the acting director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “I commend the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wayne Police Department for their proactive participation in this investigation.” Passaic County's prosecutor, Camelia M. Valdes, said, “In these difficult financial times, law enforcement must continue to work together to protect the rights of civilians from unscrupulous merchants.” Wayne's Police Chief John Reardon said, “State and local partnerships such as these are vitally important to protect the rights of New Jersey’s consumers.”
|