US importer charged with counterfeit toy offences

The owner of an import business in El Monte, Los Angeles, has been charged with manufacturing $1.4m in counterfeits, including plush toys, playing cards and backpacks.

Wan Piao, who is also known as Edison Piao or Edisson Park, is charged with seven felony counts of counterfeit of registered mark, including an allegation of taking more than $500,000 through fraud and embezzlement.

Piao is accused of manufacturing and possessing for sale more than 500,000 knock-off items, including Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Angry Birds, Lego Ninjago, JanSport, Shopkins and Super Mario counterfeits. He is due to arraigned on Wednesday (December 4).

If convicted as charged, Piao faces a possible maximum sentence of 12 years in custody. Bail has been set at $370,000.