The company behind Lia Sophia jewelry has agreed to a $6.7 million settlement that will benefit both customers and company sales advisors.

Plaintiffs Cynthia West, Kristine Hollander, Jennifer Zimmerman, Mary Roman, Marie Esposito and Michelle Ballon claim defendant Lia Sophia, named in the lawsuit as Act II Jewelry LLC, left its customers and sales advisors holding the bag when it suddenly shut down its direct sales business in February 2015.

The company continued to offer merchandise online but allegedly stopped honoring its lifetime replacement guarantee.

The plaintiffs claim Lia Sophia harmed its sales advisors by misappropriating customer information and by making misleading statements about the company’s plans to shut down direct sales. West, a former Lia Sophia sales advisor, claims the company continued to recruit sales associates even after it knew it would be shutting down. New associates purchased starter kits at a cost of $99 to $149.

Defendant Act II continues to deny the plaintiffs’ claims but has entered into this settlement to avoid any further litigation.







The Lia Sophia class action settlement provides for a settlement fund worth $6.7 million. This money will be used to pay service awards to the class representatives, class counsel’s attorney’s fees and court costs, and settlement administration expenses. The remaining funds will be distributed among Class Members who submit valid and timely claims.

The settlement benefits both Lia Sophia customers and sales advisors. Customers can receive a percentage of the amount they paid in Lia Sophia purchases during the qualifying period. Sales advisors may receive a percentage of their sales made during the qualifying period. Newer sales advisors can get reimbursement for their purchase of a starter kit.

According to settlement documents, Class Members include about 4 million Lia Sophia customers, 19,069 sales advisors, and 2,709 new sales advisors.

Class Members have until April 9, 2018 to exclude themselves from the settlement or object to its terms.