BUSTED! CALIFORNIA STORES ILLEGALLY SELLING FUR

On January 1, 2023, California became the first U.S. state to ban the sale and manufacture of new fur products.

LCA has discovered that some furriers and retailers believe they are above the law and continue to sell fur in violation of the ban. LCA, and other animal advocates, worked long and hard to pass the historic California law, and we will not sit idly by while people ignore and break the law.

LCA's released the below undercover video on July 29, 2024, identifying multiple retailers in the Los Angeles area fragrantly violating the state's fur ban. TAKE ACTION HERE.

Watch and share the investigation video narrated by Rikki Rockett

INVESTIGATION DETAILS

Since 2023, LCA has documented far too many California retailers stealthily skirting the ban. One furrier even remarked to an LCA investigator, "The law won't stop me."

These are the businesses we have busted so far:

BIZAKIS FURS - TUSTIN, CA - ONGOING

In November 2023, LCA sued Bizakis Furriers for illegally selling new fur in California. The case went to trial on 12/3/2024. LCA staff testified at the trial, and with video obtained by an LCA investigator of Mr. Bizakis admitting he was selling new fur. Mr. Bizakis testified that the fur "was new to the sales floor" and not "new fur", in reponse to the video evidence. On 1/9/2025, the Judge issued the rulling, "The plaintiff failed to carry out its burden of proof. Its request for relief is denied." LCA's legal counsel filed an objection to the ruling on 1/28/2025. On 3/27/2025, LCA's legal counsel filed a Notice of Intention to move for a new trial. This case is ongoing.

NEIMAN MARCUS ONLINE FUR SALES - SETTLED OUT OF COURT - JULY 2024

Dallas-based luxury retailer Neiman Marcus stopped online illegal fur sales to California resdients after LCA filed a legal complaint. In February 2024, LCA's Special Investigation Unit discovered new fox fur jackets for sale on Neiman Marcus' website. The jackets were available for shipping to California, violating the fur ban. The jackets also violated Neiman Marcus' own fur-free policy to eliminate fur from its supply chain by March 2023. After discovering the violation, LCA sent a letter to Neiman Marcus demanding they stop violating the California fur ban. When the letter was ignored, LCA took prompt legal action by filing a lawsuit against Neiman Marcus in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. In July 2024, Neiman Marcus settled the lawsuit out of court with LCA, removed all fur from their website and agreed to adhere to their own fur-free policy. Neiman Marcus also made a $5,000 donation to LCA.

STEFANO RICCI - BEVERLY HILLS, CA - STOPPED SELLING FUR ILLEGALLY - FEBRUARY 2024

In January 2024, LCA sent a cease-and-desist letter to Stefano Ricci demanding they stop selling new fur in their Beverly Hills store and online to California residents. Stefano Ricci immediately informed LCA that all new fur products would no longer be sold in their Beverly Hills store. On 2/1/2024, Stefano Ricci stopped illegal online fur sales to California consumers.

FURS BY LAFAYETTE - LOS ANGELES, CA - STORE CLOSED AS OF APRIL 2024

LCA investigator documented illegal new fur sales in November 2023. After multiple follow-up visits to the location, Furs by LaFayette, located in Santee Alley, Los Angeles, California, appears to be closed permanently as of April 2024.

MINK PALACE - MONTEREY PARK, CA - STORE CLOSED AS OF APRIL 2024

LCA investigator documented illegal new fur sales in November 2023. After multiple follow-up visits to the location, Mink Palace, located in Monterey Park, California, appears to be closed permanently as of April 2024.

SURFAS LTD. FURRIERS - TUSTIN, CA - SETTLED OUT OF COURT - SEPTEMBER 2023

In September 2023, LCA won a lawsuit against Surfas Ltd. Furriers, located in Tustin, California, for selling new fur products. The case was settled out of court. Surfas agreed to "immediately cease any unlawful sales" and reimburse attorney fees and costs. This was the first successful lawsuit upholding the historic California fur ban.

Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA
Illegal fur sales in CA	Illegal fur sales in CA	Stefano Ricci	Stefano Ricci
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Fur farm	Fur farm	Finnish fur farm	Finnish fur farm

Before taking legal action, LCA reported the illegal fur sales to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the agency responsible for enforcing the ban, but no action was taken. If California authorities won't hold law-breaking businesses that harm animals accountable, LCA will.

LCA is committed to fighting the sale and manufacture of fur around the globe. On fur farms, millions of animals like mink, foxes, chinchillas, and raccoon dogs spend their entire lives in tiny wire cages, waiting to be murdered by electrocution or gas - all in the name of fashion.

Most consumers want nothing to do with the cruel fur trade, and major fashion brands have responded by announcing policies prohibiting the use of fur. Twenty countries throughout Europe have banned fur production because of animal cruelty and risks to the environment and public health. The country of Israel, the state of California, and 14 cities across the U.S. have banned fur sales to create a more compassionate economy.

LCA continues investigating California retailers to determine if they are adhering to the fur ban. LCA will not stop and will continue to bust stores that are breaking the law.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Go here to urge the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to enforce the California fur ban.

If you see new fur being sold in California or online to California residents, please report it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 310-271-6096 x27.

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