Carpet Store Open Despite Conviction

A Canoga Park carpet business whose owner was convicted in November of theft and false advertising charges is still in business, despite a promise made in court that it would shut down by the end of December.

A woman who answered the telephone at Elephant Carpet Care on Friday referred all questions to her supervisor, who did not return a call seeking comment.

Company operator Tamir Pinhas, 26, was sentenced last month to 75 days in jail, 10 days on a Caltrans work crew and three years probation, and fined nearly $9,000. However, the court did not order the business to close.

Prosecutors allege Pinhas advertised low prices and then charged victims--often elderly people living alone--much higher prices. The city attorney’s office received 34 customer complaints in three years. Most complainants reported being overcharged by several hundred dollars.

Pinhas’ attorney, James Blatt, confirmed prosecutors’ accounts that he told Los Angeles Municipal Judge Stephen Marcus at the sentencing that Pinhas and his family would close the business by the new year. He repeated that assurance via telephone Friday.

“They had over 70,000 customers, and they are trying to honor them,” Blatt said. “There are some matters that they’re intending to take care of. But my understanding is that they still intend to voluntarily shut down.”

Deputy City Atty. Keith De La Rosa, who prosecuted the case, said his office will watch for any further complaints against Elephant that could result in probation violation charges.

“They were under no obligation to get out of the business,” De La Rosa said. “But usually by the time we get done with them [fraudulent companies], they’re out of business.”

Pinhas has repaid victims, De La Rosa added, but his jail and work crew sentences have been delayed until Jan. 31. A hearing scheduled for that day will enable prosecutors to ensure that Pinhas has paid his fines. Unless an appeal of the conviction is filed, Pinhas will begin serving the rest of his sentence.