CHICAGO , Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gucci America, Inc. lost its bid to dismiss a class action lawsuit alleging it deceived consumers into buying ethically-sourced exotic skin products when, in fact, the animals were brutally abused and their skins harvested to produce high-end luxury items.
The lawsuit was brought by Tracy Cohen , a former top salesperson working out of Gucci's Chicago store. Ms. Cohen alleges Gucci trained her to perform a "selling ceremony" for potential customers, during which she would tell them the exotic skinned products were ethically sourced.
Relying on Gucci's representations, she even purchased her own exotic-skinned products. In March 2024 , Ms. Cohen learned that Gucci's representations were not true.
A PETA Asia investigation revealed that Gucci's alleged suppliers smashed pythons over the head with a hammer before driving metal hooks through their heads, inflated their bodies with water, and skinned them alive. Crocodiles were allegedly skinned alive. The Court denied Gucci's motion to dismiss, sending the case into discovery, where Gucci will be forced to reveal how it procured the skins it used to make its luxury products, and whether this is consistent with its representations to its customers.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk responded to the news with the following statement: We are thankful to Tracy Cohen for coming forward to expose this brazen brand for consistently duping clients and its own employees about the suffering behind every .