Controversy Erupts Over Alleged Price Manipulation at Malibu Store
In an eyebrow-raising incident, a prominent entertainment lawyer has stirred significant backlash after sharing video evidence of her purportedly adjusting the tags on sunglasses before trying to buy them in a luxury store in Malibu.
Last Monday, Kitson LA released a clip showcasing a woman they labeled “Malibu Bianca,” offering a $500 bounty for information about her attempts to swap pricing tags at a well-known celebrity boutique.
The upscale retailer launched a fervent online campaign, publicly identifying Bianca Bezdek-Goodloe, a managing partner at the Goodloe law firm, and subsequently mentioning her husband, J. Mills Goodloe, a screenwriter.
Bezdek-Goodloe did confirm to the California Post that she was the individual in the footage but vigorously denied any allegations of attempting to deceive the store owner.
In a passionate statement, she denounced the “false charges,” labeling them “defamatory, misleading, and inaccurate,” and claimed the incident felt more like a reality show stunt orchestrated by Kitson.
The drama began when Kitson shared a video on Instagram showing a woman allegedly trading sunglasses worth $58 for pricier Ray-Bans tagged at $198. The video captured a malfunctioning price scanner at the register, which prompted the woman to leave, saying she needed to stop by a shoe repair shop.
Upon her return, store employees reportedly refused to assist her, leaving her feeling embarrassed. Kitson mentioned that staff tried reaching out to her via the shoe repair shop but claimed the woman didn’t respond.
In a dramatic twist, the retailer sweetened the pot by offering a $500 gift card for anyone who could pinpoint her identity, stating on Instagram, “We have filed a police report. Let’s put an end to these rich individuals stealing from small businesses.”
The store’s announcement also highlighted Bezdek-Goodloe’s husband as J. Mills Goodloe, known for his involvement in “Lethal Weapon 3,” and clarified that the couple are notable figures within the LA entertainment scene.
In a lengthy retort, Bezdek-Goodloe expressed her frustration over the situation, asserting she aimed to alert the store about what she perceived as an incorrect tag before exiting. She argued that the accusations against her were baseless.
“This situation became a spectacle created by Kitson. The details they overlooked are: I believed the tag was wrong and communicated that to them. I even folded the tag because it was snagging in my hair while trying on the glasses,” she outlined.
“I patiently waited for them to correct the tag and merely stepped out for a moment to run an errand before returning to purchase the glasses. But instead, I found myself wrongly accused of theft.”
Bezdek-Goodloe also recounted receiving threats from the owner of the adjacent shoe store, demanding that Kitson disclose her contact details. She claimed that her attempts to reach the store manager went unanswered, presenting call logs as evidence of her efforts.
Frustrated by the portrayal of her as a criminal, she highlighted her identity as a small business owner herself, sharing her disappointment about the accusations. She described her contributions to the community, mentioning her recent return from a volunteer mission in Ukraine and her commitment to providing legal services at no charge.
“I’m not a saint, but I am definitely not a thief,” she insisted.
Malibu police confirmed reports of a suspected shoplifting incident being reported, describing the woman involved as blonde, approximately 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing around 140 pounds.
Mr. Kitson has yet to provide any comments regarding the unfolding situation.
