Dallas

Woman Pleads Guilty in CDs Copyright Scam

An Arizona woman who owns a record distribution company has pleaded guilty in Texas to running a counterfeit Latina CDs scam.

Melek Portillo pleaded guilty Tuesday in Dallas to two counts of copy infringement. Her company, Angelica's Record Distributors, pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking in counterfeit labels and counterfeit packaging.

Prosecutors said during 2011 and 2011 the company illegally reproduced or distributed numerous recordings. Angelica's Record Distributors knowingly sold counterfeit Latina music CDs from its centers in Dallas, Chicago and Phoenix.

Plea agreement documents indicate Portillo and her company are expected to be sentenced to probation, plus face fines and forfeiture of up to $500,000.

Prosecutors said the company must also forfeit more than 155,000 fake CDs and DVDs that were confiscated.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us