California Police Investigate Mazal Group Over Allegations of Exploiting Disabled Customer
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Los Angeles police are investigating Mazal Group's Bee & Co. cosmetics store after a disabled customer, Victor Chizlom, alleged he was pressured into spending over $50,000. Chizlom claims staff yelled at him and wouldn't let him leave until he paid. The store has since closed, and Mazal Group denies the allegations, blaming a rogue employee. Congressman Brad Sherman plans to inform the California Attorney General, while other complaints of aggressive sales tactics have surfaced.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police are investigating Mazal Group's Bee & Co. store after a disabled customer alleged he was coerced into spending $41,747 on cosmetics.
- Victor Chizlom, who has an intellectual disability, also claims he was forced to tip two employees $10,120.
- The store has closed following reports, and Mazal Group denies the allegations, citing an unauthorized employee.
- Other complaints of aggressive sales tactics have been reported at stores linked to Mazal Group.
- Congressman Brad Sherman intends to notify the California Attorney General about the situation.
Los Angeles police are investigating purchases made by Victor Chizlom, a 30-year-old man with an intellectual disability, at the Bee & Co. cosmetics store located in the Westfield Topanga mall. According to CBS California Investigates, Chizlom claims store employees coerced him into spending $41,747 on cosmetics and a red-light therapy device. He also alleges he was pressured to give an additional $10,120 in "tips" to two female employees. Chizlom stated he was taken to a separate room, subjected to yelling and pressure, and prevented from leaving until he handed over his bank card.
Following the CBS reports, the Bee & Co. store in Westfield Topanga has closed. Bee & Co.'s parent company is the Chatsworth-based Mazal Group, which is connected to several other cosmetic brands and stores in Southern California. Mazal Group has denied the accusations. Their lawyer stated that some payments were received by a "rogue employee" who was not authorized to accept such transfers. Bee & Co. offered to refund Chizlom on the condition that he remove negative reviews and publish a statement favoring the company, terms his representatives refused.
CBS's investigation uncovered other complaints regarding aggressive sales tactics at stores linked to Mazal Group, including from elderly customers and individuals with disabilities. Congressman Brad Sherman announced his intention to bring the information to the attention of California Attorney General. Mazal Group is registered in California and operates in the U.S., but it has ties to Israeli entrepreneurs, and Israeli media describe it as an Israeli-owned business. However, Mazal Group itself asserts it does not directly own or manage retail stores, instead supplying products to independent retailers.
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