County Files Additional Charges Against Furniture Store

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 11, 2002

The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs announced today that the county has filed additional charges in its legal action asking a Maryland Court to find Steven J. Goldman in contempt of court for failing to allow a representative from the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to review his business records and to enter his warehouse.

Montgomery County previously filed a contempt of court action asking the District Court to, among other things, prohibit Goldman from operating a furniture store in the County. This action is still pending. The additional charges came after the Division of Consumer Affairs made attempts to review the merchant's business records and to enter his warehouse per the terms of an agreement signed by the merchant in 1997.

A pre-trial hearing in the original contempt of court action is scheduled in District Court for January 16. At this hearing the judge will review a list of potential witnesses and set a trial date. Since the filing of the initial charges, a former employee of the furniture store has come forth and is prepared to testify on behalf of consumers and Montgomery County.

Goldman has been operating a furniture store using the name "Dinettes & Stools Warehouse," located at 4119 Howard Avenue in Kensington. This store is not affiliated with Dinettes and Stools stores located in Herndon and Falls Church, Virginia. More than 70 consumers have complained to DCA that Goldman failed to deliver merchandise, refused to refund deposits, and misrepresented the furniture he sold.

"Montgomery County will fully prosecute cases when it becomes necessary to take action against a deceptive merchant," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "We have a strong and fair consumer protection act in Montgomery County and we take enforcement action when necessary."

Consumers who have complaints against this merchant are encouraged to contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 240-777-3636.

Release ID: 02-517
Media Contact: Eric Freidman 240-777-3719