Business & Tech

Magic Store Remains Open Despite Owner's Credit Card Fraud

Harry Levy has agreed to plead guilty to $500,000 in credit card fraud, but he doesn't plan on closing his shop.

The owner of Hank Lee's Magic Factory in Medford has agreed to plead guilty to making over $500,000 in unauthorized transactions on a customer's credit card, but the magic trick store apparently has no plans to close.

Harry Levy, 61, of Lexington agreed to plead guilty Friday to one count of credit card fraud and one count of making false statements , according to court documents.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

As of Monday morning, the store's website remained open for business and the phones were still being answered at Hank Lee's Magic Factory. A man who answered the phone Monday said Levy would not comment on the case.

In an email sent to the Magic Factory's mailing list that was published on iTricks.com, a magic news site, Levy told his subscribers the store is using new procedures to protect the safety of customer information.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

"Hank Lee’s Magic Factory is not in danger of closing," the letter said. "We will continue to accept your orders, process them and ship them as always."

The letter also included an apology.

"I was wrong in every way, and now I will face the consequences," the letter said. "I could not possibly be more sorry for my behavior." (Read the full letter at iTricks.com)

Levy's plea agreement, filed in U.S. District Court in Boston Friday, calls for a freeze on his assets, but mentions nothing requiring the business to close.

When he is sentenced, Levy will have to forfeit assets including the $561,927 stemming from the credit card fraud, according to the plea agreement.

The agreement calls for Levy to "take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that assets subject to forfeiture are not sold, disbursed, wasted, hidden or otherwise made unavailable."

The credit card charge carries up to a 15 year sentence and the false statements charge 5 years, but the plea agreement said prosecutors will be seeking the "low end" of sentencing guidelines. The agreement also calls for Levy to pay restitution.

The case was assigned to Judge Nathan Gorton Monday morning, according to a court docket. No further court dates have been set.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here