Albie and Chris Moron-zo… “I say we call it WHITE water. It would be reverse psychology! That’s all I got…”
The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Prince Albie Moron-zo and his bro, bartender Chris, are included in a lawsuit filed by Creative Thinkers, Inc. against them AND their uncle, Jax Laurita’s husband, Chris Laurita for stealing the blackwater concept and selling it in the US.
da Moron-zo Boyz… and cousin/employee, Joe Gee
There was a previous post on SH, but an interesting article from a Canadian perspective in today’s Vancouver Sun… Creative Thinkers and BLK water is a Vancouver-based business:
“According to the documents filed by the plaintiffs, Louise and Jacqueline Wilkie first agreed to help Solomon and Jung in October 2009 to bottle a test run of the Blackwater product.
In February 2010 the Wilkie sisters, who run a company out of Langley that makes coffee syrup products, each gained a 10 per cent ownership stake in Blackwater in exchange for helping Solomon and Jung get Canadian and U.S. trademarks and patents. Jung and Solomon split the remaining 80 per cent of the company evenly.
In the summer of last year, the sisters hawked the product at the New York Fancy Foods Show, where they met Chris Manzo, Albie Manzo and Chris Laurita.
Jacqueline Wilkie transferred Blackwater’s Canadian patent and trademark registration to Solomon and Jung this summer, but did not transfer U.S. rights despite agreeing to do so.
The Wilkies, together with the Manzo-Laurita family, applied to transfer Blackwater’s U.S. patent to a new company named blk. Beverages, using a near replica of the bottle first made by the sisters for Solomon and Jung.
[Solomon and Jung] came up with this unique design and marketing concept and product, along with the Blackwater name and it was . . . stolen from them,” he said.
The reality TV show became a platform for blk., he said. “A number of characters on the show used the show to promote the … product that did not belong to them,” Ghajar continued. “There were some episodes about it, and they continue to use the TV show to get the word out about the product.”
NOTE: Could this be the reason for the IRS visiting the Laurita’s last week? Or, maybe the visit had to do with Jax and Chris Laurita’s $8 million lawsuit…
(Thanks to SH reader “HD_NJgirl”!!!)
What Tina Fey thinks about the New Jersey crew…
I wonder if at any point in time, any of the Manzos or Lauritas was smart enough to get a lawyer to confirm that the original Canadian owners of the product had given their legal assent to the Wilkie sisters for the US rights? You’d think at least one of them would be smart enough to do even a little background check on this, especially since they’re going to market it on national tv to millions of people. You’d think they would have gotten a signed statement by the Canadian owners that the US rights were owned free & clear by the Wilkies before they signed up with them as their business partners… Or would this have made too much sense?
I’ve thought about this, not just with regard to the Manzo/Laurita clan, but all ppl who seem to believe their past, or criminal actions or just plain immorality won’t be outed if they go on a nationally televised “reality” show. I’m not perfect, but I don’t profess to be, and I wouldn’t dream of opening up my whole life to a national audience’s scrutiny. They do, gleefully, it seems, but are apparently shocked when not everyone gives their lives glowing reviews. Are they arrogant or just stupid? I tend to think the former. Not saying the Manzos are geniuses by any means, but I do think they’re probably used to getting away with a lot, and tend to believe the problems other ppl have with them either morally or legally are automatically bogus and not worth their focused attention or consideration. They’re always right, always moral and live in a hermetically sealed bubble where no outside or critical opinions get through. This might explain why despite their extensive business experience, they didn’t perform even the basic due diligence before they got involved with this product. Arrogance.
You are right. They probably have gotten away with a lot. One of these days though they will not be so lucky.
I would think anyone normal would have hired a lawyer to investigate the sisters and the product before going into business with them. They obviously did not. Either they did not because they 1) were trying to steal the product, or @) were just not bright enough. It does not make sense. I think Chris Laurita is the one to blame, and he dragged his nieve nephews along for the ride. The boys should have just stuck to the sauce business with their dad.
NAIVE
The thing about Chris Laurita getting — and deserving — the lion’s share of the blame is what I tend to think too, although, we don’t have any real evidence of that YET. If that is the case and the Manzo boyz are totally innocent, you KNOW Don will NOT dare blame her precious brother. It’ll be other litigant’s fault, the Wilkie sisters, Jacqueline, Lauren or Tree’s fault, but definitely NOT Saint Chris’ fault.
The Manzo’s only investigate other housewives! lol
Considering how Don Caro always claims she’s such a tough Mama, I’m surprised she hasn’t encouraged her kids to get something that resembles a real job. I wonder if it ever chaps Big Al’s a*s that he worked 16 hr days most of his adult life so Don and the kids could enjoy a posh lifestyle and now, his sons spend a decent portion of their existence partying and his daughter spends 2 yrs, not trying to make a go of a “make-up store”, but PLANNING to open one up. Sorry, she’s currently trying to open up a SECOND make-up store, even though the first one didn’t work out. Caro seems to think Lauren’s belief that it will succeed in spite of all evidence to the contrary is noble. I like to be supportive of my kids, but at this point, I think I’d tell them they ought to consider a different path. Not all dreams are realistic or profitable. Don’s best example that these Manzo “kids” weren’t indulged was ” They cleaned up vomit once at the Brownstone!”. I don’t know, maybe they weren’t then, but they sure seem spoiled now. I’m not anti-business, and I realize there can be some long days trying to make a go of it, but there’s a reason most ” average” ppl don’t venture into it, ESPECIALLY nowadays – they don’t have someone supporting them for 2 yrs while they’re trying to get it up and running. And most serious business I’ve ever known don’t have the energy to party as much as the Manzo boys seem to.
business owners*
Ive wondered that same thing about Al. Hell i feel sorry for him. I remember my parents opening their first business when i was around 13 and i barely saw my father. They encouraged us later to do what we want in life “as long as it paid our bills”. I had a good 5 year run in television but eventually after coaxing from them quit and joined in the family business. My point just being these kids were lucky to have a successful family business as an option to even be involved in. These ridiculous scams are if anything just gonna hurt their family reputation. Its just sad to me to realize what could of been. But Chris didnt like the long hours of the brownstone. It takes long hours and hard work to be a true success. Worth it though when its going to something that could be prosperous for future generations. Unfortunately Als long hours are not gonna be for the reasons he wanted. But just my opinion. Im sure the Manzo mob would deny any disappointment.
I can’t stand those lazy Moron Manzo “boys” that ride on their mamma’s coat tail. Now days, it ain’t taken them far.
Ugh!! I cant stand this clan. Wish they would just go away.
The IRS visiting them could be alot of reasons, but I think it had to do with the big bankruptcy of Apparel that him and his wife and family members looted in order to live a lifestyle and then leave the suppliers hanging. The IRS aren’t dumb, not by a long shot and also they don’t live in NJ. I think they know a criminal enterprise has been ongoing and that they are starting an investigation of the whole group. Another reason is did they pay taxes on all that money that went to them, if they didn’t then they are in alot of trouble.
It is amazing to me how these people have so many financial problems, and they put it all on blast for the world to see. They are crazy enough to think that this info will not get out. It is all on TAPE now, and the IRS will have more evidence. For example all of those crazy cars that were seen in Chris Laurita’s driveway. The IRS visiting him is serious. Hopefully for his children’s sake, he will not go to jail.
Oh also in regard to the blackwater, that will be slamdunk case. The only way I see Laurita and Manzo’s getting out of it is by saying we where promoting the sisters product and they assumed that they owned it. But that may fall also because they received a cease and desist letter from Jung and company and they continued. Chris can’t get around that and the court will wonder why you didn’t at least respond or do as the letter said.
OMG! They didn’t even come up with original packaging. All they did was product placement on a t.v. show they were already on! Office’s in Grandma’s craft room, Blk water already to go and freshly stolen, have these guys ever done anything that wasn’t set up or paid for by their parents? They really should have learned a skill. Why is it that college was not a high priority on the list of things to do for these parents. Albie graduated , but the other too…. Their grades and SAT scores must have been abysmal. And Caroline thinks she is high society. Oh, o.k. She is dumber than a rock.
looks like the Manzo boys should have stuck with the book of poopie places book.
It amazes me how this family still has fans. Even on their websites or facebooks if someone were tonpoint out this factually case, 8 toothless women will pop up to defend poor Caroline and you have no life for pointing out a fact. Haha. I really dont post myself just it amazes me to see that phenomenon. Soooo weird.
And excuse my typos. My husband is trying to uhh “distract” me. Obviously this site is my priority. lol
I agree it is weird. The Glee cast even loves them now. Did anyone see Lea Michele on WWHL? She said she wants to be a housewife and marry Albie. Andy Cohen almost fell off of his chair. Chris Colfer was invited to go to dinner one Sunday soon at Caroline’s house and Chris Colfer said he can’t wait. I wonder if the IRS will show up while they are all eating dinner?
I think they’re quite adept at smooching C-List celebrity tail HARD and do so as often as possible. A quick glance at their twitter account shows they live for it. Or heck, just re-watch the 2nd part of this past season’s Xmas episode when they tongue-bathed Alexa Ray Joel. IT….WAS….EMBARRASSING. Celebrities tend to be ppl who ENJOY having their a*ses kissed, so I’m sure they don’t discourage them. Plus, the Manzos et al are in the limelight after all, so that affords them SOME access to famous ppl and all the goings-on of the celebrity “elite”. However, in terms of their fan base, I’d argue with any opinion that says it’s all that big – certainly not nearly as big as Tree’s. I don’t think it was ever that big to begin with, and it’s currently on the decline. Morbid fascination about their lives doesn’t really equal “fan” IMO. Fans are ppl who LOVE you and are willing to buy your product(s). So far, ppl are not that eager to buy what the Manzo/Laurita/Wakilie/Gorga monster is selling. The real money ppl, like publishers and big time distributors know it too. I’m sure Teresa’s book publishers don’t back her because they think she’s a swell gal; no they do so because she SELLS, and she sells, because she has real FANS.
Lmaooo remember on season 2 Caroline had that sheriff’s benefit dinner because the manzo’s love & respect the law? How ironic.
HA HA HA…oh yeah… that is even more hilarious knowing what we know now.
Chris Laurita converted corporate funds to personal funds. So did Joey Laurita. It is called a “bleed out” bankruptcy. They ripped off too many people. I never liked him – he was too quiet. There is also a thug look about him. Jax is too stupid to know what was going on.
I totally agree. I never liked the way he talked to Ashley. He is deep down a nasty creep.
Good point. I believe Chris and Jac both have “secrets” they hide and had plenty to do with why Ashley was sent away. Ashley was his stepdaughter and she was around 10 or so when they married and he and Jac in my opinion resorted to bullying her when she did not do as “they” wanted. And Jac resorted to letting Chris do her dirty work. Chris is not Ashley’s father to be daddy. She has a father. Step parenting is always a delicate place to go. Then you had Caroline bullying Ashley–”if she was my daughter she would be picking herself up off he floor!” I doubt Caroline ever accepted Ashley and probably not Jac and Jac wasn’t going anywhere because of Chris’s money and they really were living high and blowing money left and right. Caroline says her son was kicked out of law school due to a learning disability. Those who do have learning disabilities can get tutors or help. Besides its hogwash –how did he graduate the 4 year college before law school.
Ashley should write a book about them. There is something strange about Jac and I cannot put my finger on it. She is hiding something. Besides I think Daniele spilled everything she knew to the tabloids –Jac good friend. Danielle wanted to be Dina’s friend anyway not Jac’s. It was Jac who allowed Danielle to constantly interfer with her and Tersea then when Danielle left in walks Caroline to finish the job.
I just gotta tie this up this thought. In the last 22 years our families business has managed to not only run relatively smoothly but also do the boring, Yawn Yawn, work of taking out contracts and consulting lawyers for any new product we may want to incorporate in with it. While doing this we’ve also very proudly have been Co-Sponsors and award honorees for our contributions to many local children’s charities. Its actually in my opinion easier to do business on the up and up then it is to “accidentally” swindle someone or “accidentally” embezzle funds. So these weirdo’s who feel in no way is this a reflection on the Manzo’s as a whole. IT IS. IT REALLY REALLY REALLY IS. Thank you very much! =) <3 this site! not sure if i mentioned that enough lately. <3
This is the best idea they could steal? I mean, c’mon…
Albie just tweeted that the Manzos are going on a long tour of Cali with blk beverages. I do not get it. These people just do whatever they want. So arrogant. They are just ignoring the lawsuit and are not nervous at all about it. Amazing.
BLK lawsuit was settled. Laurita’s lawsuit has nothing to do with the Manzos. It makes sense that if Chris L.is going to have to payback millions of dollars he would be out there trying to make some money to do it with.
Stay on your own side of the country, you barfing buffoons.