ALBANY — New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood has filed a lawsuit against a national "military-themed" jewelry retailer, alleging it mislead military service members with illegal financing and other illegal acts.
According to the lawsuit, New York-based Harris Jewelry, which has several locations near and on military bases, used "unfair, false, abusive and deceptive acts and practices" as well as illegal sales financing which targeted active-duty military members.
“Harris Jewelry will vigorously contest the inaccurate and baseless allegations raised by the New York State Attorney General. Harris Jewelry operates in full compliance with the laws that regulate our industry," the company said in a statement.
"Harris Jewelry stands behind its decades-old business model. The New York Attorney General has unfortunately reached the wrong conclusions about our business and the work we do. For more than 60 years, Harris Jewelry has sold quality jewelry and watches to active duty military personnel, Reservists, National Guard, and Retirees.
"Today, the company continues to honor that tradition and enables its customers to purchase quality jewelry designed specifically for them, and to do so on credit terms customized to meet their needs.”
Harris' alleged deceptive acts, according to the Underwood's complaint, includes using various promotions and items such as the "Forever as One Dog Tag Necklace" and "Mother's Medal of Honor," which were used to trick military members into high and illegal "in-house financing" and false claims that the company's financing could improve credit scores.
In addition, the attorney general alleges Harris lured military members with false advertising on jewelry that was 600 to 1,000 percent more than wholesale prices.
“As we allege, Harris Jewelry used service members as pawns in a predatory scheme,” Underwood said in a statement. “My office will not tolerate companies that seek to take advantage of New Yorkers in order to line their own pockets.”
The lawsuit stems from a multi-state investigation including New York, Tennessee, Nevada, North Carolina, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.