‘Fright Night’ for sellers of Halloween contact lenses: 10 charged

The owners and operators of 10 businesses across the Southland were charged Friday with illegally selling cosmetic contact lenses as Halloween and beauty accessories without required prescriptions.

Some of the products that were purchased in connection with the “Fright Night” operation were contaminated with dangerous pathogens that can cause eye injury, blindness and loss of the eye, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The misdemeanor charges, filed in Los Angeles federal court, accuse the store operators of selling “misbranded” contact lenses — under names such as Wonder Look, Red Rose, Black & White, Beauty World and Crazy Eagle.

“Contact lenses that fit the eye poorly could cause eye damage, including scratches on the cornea, corneal infection, conjunctivitis, decreased vision and blindness,” according to court documents. “Under California law, a California resident retailer could only sell and/or dispense contact lenses if the retailer was a licensed physician or surgeon, licensed optometrist, registered dispensing optician, or a pharmacist.”

“Fright Night” targeted retail stores — some of which were selling Halloween costumes and accessories — that sold cosmetic and decorative contact lenses without a prescription to unsuspecting consumers in Southern California.

“These products pose a serious danger to unsuspecting Halloween shoppers, and those who have already purchased these products should not use them,” said Eileen M. Decker, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. “As required by the law, contact lenses should be used only when they are prescribed by a knowledgeable medical professional.”

Contact lenses — whether corrective, cosmetic or decorative — are considered to be prescription medical devices subject to FDA regulations. Due to the risk of injury, blindness and possible eye infection, all contact lenses require prescriptions from medical professionals who can provide guidance on proper care and maintenance.

The 10 cases were filed against:

• Arianna Beauty Inc., which is located on Santee Street in downtown Los Angeles, and its owner, Farshid Ben Cohen, 53, of Los Angeles.
• Alex Mario Collantes Marxelly, 40, of San Bernardino, the owner of Zebra Accessories in San Bernardino.
• Kathy Hwang, 51, of Chino Hills, doing business as Fashion 20 in La Puente.
• Hollywood Toys & Costumes Inc. and the Hollywood store’s owner, Rezvan “Ron” Moazzez, 69, of Encino.
• Sin Young Yi, 59, of Chino Hills, the owner of Yi’s Accessories in the Central Mercado Mini Mall in La Puente.
• Susie Shin, 52, of La Mirada, the owner of My Treasure in Buena Park.
• J2 Trading Inc., doing business as Hairitage Beauty Supply in San Bernardino, and J2’s owner, Dong Ki Min, 51, of Chino Hills.
• Fashion 4-U Inc., doing business as Fashion Dream in Garden Grove, and the store’s owner, Jeong J. “Sarah” Park, 55, of La Mirada.
• La Moda XVII Inc., doing business as Fashion Q in Baldwin Park.
• And NXT.G Corp., doing business as Zzotta Shoes in the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, and the store’s owner, Kyung “Grace Lee” Sook Jung.

All of the charges carry a possible maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and fines of up to $100,000 for an individual and up to $200,000 for a corporation.

The California Department of Public Health today warned consumers against using decorative contact lenses without first consulting with an eye care professional.

— City News Service