June 30, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Feds: Hair appliance business full of hot air

Three men are accused of selling counterfeit high-end hair appliances and duping buyers into thinking some of the company’s proceeds would fund breast cancer charities, federal authorities said.

The defendants were charged by information on Tuesday, June 30, of a conspiracy to import and sell counterfeit goods, said U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger in a press release.

Stephen Voudouris Sr., 59, of Newtown Square; Yung Chung, 31, of West Chester; and Jaimmy Chun, 30, of Philadelphia, face charges of conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and wire fraud. Voudouris is also charged with smuggling counterfeit goods into the U.S.

The release said Voudouris and Chung were partners and owners of Misikko.com, headquartered in Newtown Square, an online retailer of luxury hair care appliances, including flat irons and blow dryers. Misikko.com was not an authorized dealer of brands such as CHI, T3 and Babyliss.

According to the charging documents, the defendant attempted to maximize profits by seeking out Chinese manufacturing companies from which they could purchase cheap goods bearing counterfeit trademarks of CHI, T3 and Babyliss. It is further alleged that the defendants then resold the counterfeit goods as authentic, for top dollar, to the public.

Allegedly at the direction of Voudouris, the defendants tried to increase web traffic and profits by purporting to sell “Breast Cancer Awareness” products. For some “pink” products, Misikko’s website represented that $25 from every purchase would benefit a prominent breast cancer foundation. It is alleged, however, that no donations were ever made to a breast cancer charity.

If convicted of all charges,Voudouris faces a potential advisory guideline sentencing range of 33 to 41 months in prison, a three-year period of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and a $400 special assessment; Chung and Chun each face a potential advisory sentencing guideline range of 24 to 30 months in prison, a three-year period of supervised release, a fine of up to $750,000, and a $300 special assessment.

Each defendant is also responsible jointly and severally for full restitution of approximately $150,346, the release said.

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Effort to enforce safety on roads, waterways

Police

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police and local police are partnering to help decrease impaired driving and aggressive behaviors through the weekend.

Last year, 326 alcohol-related crashes occurred from Friday, June 27, to Sunday, July 6, resulting in 11 fatalities. This marked an increase from 2013, when 256 alcohol-related crashes and 11 fatalities marred the holiday time period. Also, during the holiday period last year, 85 drug-related crashes and four fatalities represented an increase from 69 drug-related crashes and four fatalities in 2013, a PennDOT press release said.

Officials also want to warn residents about the perils of drinking and boating. On Wednesday, July 1, PennDOT, the U.S. Coast Guard, the state Fish and Boat Commission, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital will hold a media event at the U.S. Coast Guard facility in Philadelphia, to highlight an Independence Day impaired-driving and boating enforcement campaign, according to a state police press release.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to noon at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay at 1 Washington Ave. It will feature remarks by safety officials, including Trooper Samantha Minnucci from the Avondale barracks, and a mock Boating Under the Influence (BUI) stop to highlight regional efforts related to the Independence Day Impaired Driving mobilization which runs through July 5.

As part of this high-visibility, impaired-driving enforcement effort, state police and local law enforcement will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols, focusing attention on speeders, aggressive drivers and those who drink and drive during the holiday weekend.

A press release from the Avondale barracks said troopers would be closely monitoring Chester County roadways. It said troopers would concentrate on areas that have experienced the highest number of serious crashes in the past.

PennDOT said the enforcement effort is funded through its statewide distribution of more than $4.7 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Take a few seconds to make sure that you and your passengers are buckled up,” said acting State Police Commissioner Marcus L. Brown. “And please, don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. It makes no sense to gamble with your life and the lives of others.”

According to the most recent statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), 512 people died in motor vehicle crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist who was drunk during the 2013 Fourth of July holiday. Roughly one-in-five of drivers involved in those crashes had blood alcohol levels of .15 or higher—almost twice the legal limit.

On Wednesday, July 1, NHTSA is holding a Buzzed Driving Twitter chat at 3 p.m. to spread the word that #BuzzedDriving is #DrunkDriving. The public can follow along using #BuzzedDriving, ask questions of experts, and spread this safety message with the help of videos, banners, and other tools NHTSA is offering to help save lives this Fourth of July weekend, a NHTSA press release said. The public can join the conversation on Twitter by using #drivesober and #designateddriver.

Visit www.JustDrivePA.com for more information on impaired driving and PennDOT’s other traffic-safety initiatives.

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Pope’s Philadelphia itinerary announced

Religion Today

The Vatican released the comprehensive itinerary for Pope Francis’ journey to the United States, including his schedule for Philadelphia on Sept. 26-27, which will close the six-day journey, said an archdiocesan press release.

Pope Francis will take part in eight public events in Philadelphia, in addition to his arrival and departure from Atlantic Aviation.

The following reflects the chronological order of confirmed Papal events for Philadelphia.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Morning:

Private arrival: Atlantic Aviation

The Cathedral Mass with Pope Francis: The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Afternoon:

Greeting of the Holy Father by the Seminarians of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary on the exterior front steps of the seminary

“We Hold These Truths… :” Independence Hall address by Pope Francis (outdoors, overlooking the mall); expected themes are religious liberty and immigration

Evening:

The Festival of Families: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sunday, Sept. 27

Morning:

Address to cardinals and bishops attending World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015:  Saint Martin’s Chapel at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

Visit with prisoners and select families at the  Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

Afternoon:

The Papal Mass: The Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Projected: 4 p.m.)

Evening:

A Celebration of World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 for supporters and volunteers: Atlantic Aviation

Official departure ceremony: Atlantic Aviation

Decisions regarding which events will require passes are still to be determined, the release said. The Festival of Families on Sept. 26 and the Papal Mass on Sept. 27 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are open to the public.

“Pope Francis’ plans for his visit to Philadelphia seamlessly integrate powerful public moments with more intimate gatherings that are deeply grace filled,” said Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput in the release. “The Holy Father’s planned itinerary is a true gift to all of us in the Philadelphia regardless of faith tradition. I am confident we will leave a positive and lasting impression upon Pope Francis and keep the spirit of his visit in our hearts as we seek constantly to build a better society.”

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