Protesters Accuse Local Designer Of Ripping Them Off
HUNTINGTON PARK (CBSLA.com) — A local dress shop drew protesters on Friday who allege that the store took their money but failed to deliver on their purchases.
One of the alleged victim's, 14-year-old Guadalupe Cardenas, joined a handful of others who gathered outside Wilhem Zeda in Huntington Park in protest.
Cardenes said her parents purchased her dream dress for her upcoming Quinceañera at the store which closed over the weekend allegedly before giving Guadalupe her $1,500 dress. Her mother was in tears.
"It was just horrible to think [about] what happened because I really liked the dress and my parents did all they could to get me it," Cardenas told CBS2's Amy Johnson.
Laura Boverie, an aunt of another alleged victim, told Johnson that her niece, Kimberly, bought a $2,700 dress from the designer. They not only have the receipt but a picture when they tendered payment.
"You have so much faith in someone that has given you a dress before and that faith is gone," Boverie said.
Johnson reported that Boverie was so upset she created a Facebook page titled, "Wilhem Zeda Fraud" to alert and connect other alleged victims.
She told Johnson she's heard from 100 other alleged victims so far.
"I hear that there's a few more stores that have been open and they're under another name so we want to make sure that there's no more victims," Boverie said.
Another location on S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles has also closed down while another location was up for lease. Workers at a third location allegedly linked to the designer said Zeda didn't own it.
A detective told Johnson that Zeda could be facing a number of charges, including grand theft. Those who feel they've been victimized are asked to contact the Huntington Park Police Department.
