Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly said regulators are pursuing criminal charges. The attorney general handles civil matters.
Connecticut consumer regulators are pressing for civil charges against a New York mattress retailer accused of selling used bedding in the state without a license.
Consumer Commissioner Jerry Farrell said his agency in 2009 revoked the license from Industrial Mattress LLC of Brooklyn to sell bedding in Connecticut.
However, Farrell said the firm was discovered this summer still selling possibly unsanitized and improperly tagged mattresses and box springs at a Home Mart store on Park Street in Hartford. State inspectors on Aug. 2 removed 154 illegal mattresses and box springs from the store.
Farrell said he has referred the matter to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal’s office for prosecution.
“Maybe they didn’t take us seriously when we revoked their license nine months ago,” Farrell said in a statement. “I want to make it crystal clear that we won’t tolerate unlicensed, possibly unsanitized, unsafe products being sold in Connecticut, and we’re going to do what it takes to convince this company to follow Connecticut’s laws, or stay away.”
Industrial Mattress’ owner Marties Trinidad said Friday he was unaware his Connecticut bedding license had been suspended, and vowed to immediately pursue the matter with state officials.
Farrell urged consumers who bought bedding with Industrial Mattress tags to return them where they bought them and demand a full refund.
He said his inspectors also are looking for other outlets where Industrial Mattress products were or are being sold.
Trinidad said he will honor customers’ refund requests.
