Fake CDs Crushed

About 40,000 counterfeit music CDs were destroyed, ground into plastic shards and buried in the American Ave. landfill Tuesday morning, June 19, marking the end of the largest such case in Fresno County history. 

Fresno County Sheriff Margret Mims joined Fresno County DA Elizabeth Egan at the event, closing a three year old case.   Fresno County Deputies and investigators from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) purchesed fake CDS from several stores in the county, including the cities of Caruthers and Mendota. 

After a seven month long investigation the detectives were led to a residence in Kingsburg, where a suspect was arrested and over 40,000 counterfeit CDs, valued at about $1 million, were siezed.

Fadel Fattah, 54, was arrested in March, 2004.  He was eventually sentenced to three years in prison, stayed so he could pay back $150,000 fine and $10,200 in investigation costs. 

Last weeks ceremonial destruction came after an appeal to the 5th District Court was denied and the CDs were no longer needed as evidence.  During the event the RIAA presented gold records to Mims and Egan to acknowledge their effors in solving the case.

Above - Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth Egan (left) and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims received gold records from the RIAA for their part in the counterfeit investigation.