Watch CBS News

3 Sentenced To Prison For Selling Lead-Tainted Jewelry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The owners and manager of a downtown Los Angeles jewelry store have been sentenced to up to 30 months in federal prison for illegally importing and selling fake designer jewelry, some of which had dangerous levels of lead.

James Ken Oh, his wife Jacqueline, and her brother Joon Kim were sentenced on Monday.

The three were charged after federal authorities seized more than 25,000 pieces of counterfeit designer jewelry from Elegance Fashion Mart. The fakes, which were made in China to resemble jewelry by Tiffany and Co., Chanel and other designers, were labeled as "lead free." However, authorities said some of them contained 20 times the amount of lead deemed safe for handling by children.

The three pleaded guilty to conspiracy and introducing and delivering a hazardous substance.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.