From Bill Lindelof:
A Granite Bay woman has pleaded guilty to selling knock-off purses, wallets and other items at house parties.
Michelle Bunfill, 49, admitted to selling the counterfeit goods bearing trademarks of designers such as Gucci, Coach, Prada, Burberry, Kate Spade and Chanel, a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of California states.
Bunfill admitted that from June 2006 to August 2007 she sold $184,046 worth of fake items, a statement from federal officials stated monday. Two years ago, Placer County detectives found 500 counterfeit purses, wallets, sunglasses, jewelry and other items in Bunfill's home.
Bunfill made much of her money by selling the counterfeit items at "purse parties" throughout Placer and Sacramento counties, detectives said.
Investigators alleged at the time that Bunfill could make up to $1,000 at a party. Detectives said the purses were illegally made in China where manufacturers try to mimic material and design of brand-name goods.
Detectives said that some authentic high-end purses sell for as much as $1,500 each in a store, but the phony handbags at a purse party go for about $100.
Sentencing for Bunfill is set for Nov. 30. She faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $2 million.
Her actual sentence, according to the U.S. Attorney's office, will be determined at discretion of the court, taking into account several variables.
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