Katrina Victims To Be Given Knockoff Duds

Katrina victims will receive counterfeit items impounded by the New York Police Department:

Mayor Bloomberg announced yesterday that, following a two-year crackdown on counterfeit apparel manufacturers, thousands of knockoffs bearing the trademarks of Rocawear, Phat Farm and Nike will be headed to New Orleans.

“We’ve been holding them, waiting for the right opportunity to put them to good use,” the mayor said.

The T-shirts, pants and sweatshirts, which are being donated with the companies’ permission, were all seized along “Counterfeit Alley” — a stretch of Broadway in the 20s and 30s in Manhattan known for its counterfeit warehouses.

Only seized clothes will be making the trip south. Handbags and other fashion accessories will be destroyed.