Three furniture retailers with River Road addresses face a lawsuit from the state attorney general’s office and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs for allegedly defrauding customers out of over $100,000.

Fair Lawn-based LaFlat, Inc., LaFurniture Corp. and LaFurniture Group, Inc. were among six furniture companies operated by Lev Stanik and Roman Tyger, against whom the state filed an eight-count complaint in State Superior Court on May 2, alleging a variety of deceptive business practices.

The complaint charges that in dozens of instances the companies missed delivery dates, failed to deliver furniture, failed to replace non-conforming of damaged furniture, failed to issue refunds, issued refund checks that bounced due to lack of funds, charged consumers after orders were cancelled and told customers furniture they ordered had been discontinued. 

The companies also violated regulations governing mail order practices and advertising, according to the complaint.

“The alleged deceit and deception committed by these defendants will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said in a statement. “Consumers were defrauded of their hard-earned money and we are working to obtain restitution and to hold these defendants accountable.”

The state-registered office address for LaFlat, Inc., 13-51a River Road, currently houses vacant office space across from the Allmed Health Center in the Chase Bank building at the corner of River Road and Fair Lawn Avenue. 

A Chase Bank teller who said she had worked in the building for eight years said LaFlat’s alleged office location had been vacant for years, most recently housing the accounting practice of Michael Gutnikov, CPA.

Both LaFurniture Corp. and LaFurniture Group, Inc., are registered with the state at 12-24 River Road, a building further south on River that contains Gutnikov’s current accounting office.

When asked about the furniture retailers allegedly located at both his former and current offices, Gutnikov said they had been former clients of his accounting firm.

“They’ve never been located here, but they owe us money,” he said. “If you find them, let them know." 

In addition to their three listed company locations in Fair Lawn, the state's complaint alleges that Stanik, 45, of Rahway, and Tyger, 45, of Brooklyn, N.Y., also operated LaFlat Group, Inc., LaFurniture & Design Ltd. and Tyger Furniture, also known as TG Furniture Group, with listed addresses in Rahway, Ridgefield, Lyndhurst and Edison.

Stanik and Tyger also conducted business through at least a dozen different company websites, according to the complaint.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by this business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

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