November 21, 2009
Former furniture store owner strikes plea deal
By Kurt Rivera, Eyewitness News
More than three years after an exclusive Eyewitness News investigation, a plea deal has been struck involving a former Bakersfield furniture store chief accused of fraud.
Juan "Jay" Rios, who once ran Royalty Furniture and America's Furniture on Ming Avenue, will plead guilty to one count of felony tax evasion. In exchange, more than 10 other felony counts will be dropped. Rios now faces a maximum of one year in county jail, felony probation and paying restitution. The state claims Rios did not pay sales tax. Rios has been the focus of several Eyewitness News reports. Customers have complained of getting the wrong furniture, no furniture at all or "knock-off" furniture, that is, cheaper furniture substituted for furniture a customer originally ordered. Eventually, Rios closed up shop and moved to Texas. His sentencing is set for Oct. 23. |
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