A settlement with former Phoenix clothing retailer Lawless Denim has been reached. In a consent judgment, Lawless Denim will provide up to $20,000 in refunds to customers who did not receive merchandise ordered from Lawless Denim or its successor company, LD & Co.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office launched a consumer fraud investigation after consumers claimed the owner of Lawless Denim, James Roman Acevedo, accepted payment for custom-made jeans but failed to deliver the pre-ordered jeans. The investigation uncovered further evidence that Acevedo misrepresented when ordered merchandise would be available and promised refunds the business failed to provide. As part of the settlement, Acevedo admitted his actions violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
Consumers who have not yet submitted a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General Office are also eligible for restitution. Along with a complaint, consumers must submit supporting documentation containing a Lawless Denim or LD & Co. receipt, invoice, or order confirmation showing the amount paid. To receive restitution, the Attorney General’s Office must receive a complaint and documentation by September 5, 2016.
The judgment also imposes civil penalties on Lawless Denim that will be suspended if Acevedo makes timely restitution payments.
If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by contacting the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6504, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1(800) 352-8431. Bilingual consumer protection staff members are available to assist. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Attorney General’s website at https://www.azag.gov/complaints/consumer.