The three opticians stand accused of having sold expensive glasses to customers between 2004 and 2010, only to provide them with cheap lenses. Having pocketed the difference, the opticians defrauded around 2,100 bills and warranty certificates.
On Tuesday, the prosecutor described the issue as a large-scale affair and called for three different sentences: a three-year suspended sentence and a fine, a one-year suspended sentence and a fine, and an acquittal.
Instead of providing customers with quality glasses, the defendants instead focused on their personal enrichment. In 2004, the main defendant created the first optician store with an associate. In 2007, the main defendant became the sole manager of the shop and was joined by the other two defendants a year later. The three of them then opened a number of branches together.
In the course of the trial, the main defendant claimed he made a mistake and stressed that he did not intend on defrauding customers. However, evidence demonstrates that he began defrauding customers systematically, which is why the prosecutor called for the highest sentence for this defendant. The other two could potentially walk away with a lighter sentence or even go unpunished.
The verdict will be pronounced on 28 February.
3 opticians accused of selling cheap lenses at higher prices
