Consumer Affairs Impounds Merchandise At Wayne Prom Dress Shop

WAYNE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Consumer affairs officials have impounded the merchandise of a northern New Jersey dress shop that closed in the middle of prom season.

The state is working to help customers of The Red Carpet Pageant and Prom in Wayne to reclaim any dresses that they paid for. Customers will need receipts.

Teenagers have claimed the dress shop failed to fill orders or delivered dresses that were damaged or the wrong size. The state says at least 16 customers paid in full or part for dresses that were not delivered. The transactions total $5,400.

"A prom is a significant event in a teenager's life, and one for which many consumers deposit significant amounts of money for the perfect dress," Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said in a statement.  "We will not tolerate businesses that make false promises to consumers, then fail to provide the goods or services consumers have paid for."

Red Carpet manager Patricia Dowling of Deptford and her husband, Michael, are accused of violating New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act.

Patricia Dowling also is charged with filing a false police report after she claimed 40 dresses were stolen. Police say the store's security cameras captured Dowling taking the dresses off the rack.

Customers can call 973-504-6321.

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