Business news digest

REGION

‘Most Wanted’ helping look for Ohio fugitive

COLUMBUS — Federal authorities are turning to television’s “America’s Most Wanted” for help finding a woman convicted of securities fraud in Ohio last year in a case likened to the Enron and WorldCom scandals.

Rebecca Parrett went missing in March, several weeks after she was convicted on 10 counts including securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The former vice chairwoman of National Century Financial Enterprises in suburban Columbus had faced up to 20 years in prison and was supposed to be confined to her home in Arizona until sentencing.

The United States Marshals Service says Parrett is the featured fugitive on the “America’s Most Wanted” Web site, www.amw.com. Deputy United States Marshal Andrew Shadwick says finding Parrett will be a priority for the agency until she’s captured.

NATION

Counterfeit, pirated goods increase 38% over 2007

WASHINGTON — The government seized more than $270 million in counterfeit and pirated goods over the past year, a 38 percent increase over 2007.

Electronics, computer network hardware, pharmaceuticals and perfume were among the fakes that posed health or security risks, the Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement divisions of Homeland Security said.

Shoes and other footwear valued at $103 million, or 38 percent, topped the list of counterfeits seized, the report said. Most of the goods — 81 percent — originated from China, up 40 percent from 2007. India was the second-highest counterfeit goods producer, accounting for 6 percent in the value of seized counterfeit goods. The value of pharmaceuticals, handbags, wallets and backpacks seized increased more than 100 percent in 2008 over 2007.

Vindicator staff/wire reports