Independents

The Lawsuit Against CD Peacock Has Been Dismissed

IndependentsJan 11, 2022

The Lawsuit Against CD Peacock Has Been Dismissed

The employee who filed suit against the jeweler in February 2021 dismissed her claims shortly thereafter, court papers show.

20220111_CD Peacock.jpg
A former employee who sued C.D. Peacock claiming the jeweler fired employees who blew the whistle on its alleged sale of luxury watches in the gray market voluntarily dismissed her case last year. (Image courtesy of C.D. Peacock’s website)
Chicago—The lawsuit filed last winter against longtime Chicago jeweler C.D. Peacock was voluntarily dismissed just a couple months after it was filed and has not been brought again, court papers show. 

In February 2021, former employee Suzana Krajisnik filed suit against C.D. Peacock owner Seymour Holtzman and four employees in federal court in Illinois.

She accused the jeweler of conspiring to sell Rolex and Patek Philippe watches to gray market resellers and firing employees, including Krajisnik in December 2019, who blew the whistle on the alleged scheme.

In the suit, two other former C.D. Peacock employees, fired in June 2020 and January 2021, backed up her claims, alleging they were also fired for notifying management of the situation and refusing to participate.

At the time the lawsuit was filed, a spokesperson for C.D. Peacock called Krajisnik’s claims “baseless” and said she was “terminated for cause.”

“In an industry where demand far exceeds supply for generational timepieces, we value transparency and accountability,” the company said. “We follow all guidelines to preserve our brand partnerships.”

In April 2021, just about two months after the initial suit was filed, court documents show that Krajisnik dismissed the case without prejudice, which leaves the door open for a potential refiling. 

“The company is gratified that the baseless claims were abandoned and are now in the rearview mirror,” a C.D. Peacock spokesperson said about the dismissal.

Krajisnik’s legal team did not respond to repeated requests for comment regarding the nature of the dismissal or if a refiling is being considered. 

The case had not been refiled as of press time.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Court documents paint a contentious picture of the proceedings leading up to the dismissal.

After the initial lawsuit filing, C.D. Peacock filed a motion in February to seal certain exhibits submitted by Krajisnik, arguing that they contained confidential information.

The motion was granted and Krajisnik’s team submitted redacted versions, but she then filed a motion for reconsideration in March, which was ultimately not ruled on.

She argued that the jeweler was not trying to protect trade secrets but was looking to “keep its misconduct out of the public view, and, by extension, protect its relationship with suppliers like Rolex, which would be damaged if the illegal scheme were exposed.”

She backed up this claim by noting that C.D. Peacock had tried to keep the matter out of court altogether.

Following her termination, Krajisnik sent an email to Holtzman in December 2019, court documents show, detailing the alleged scheme and stating she believed she was fired for speaking out about it.

The jeweler, now aware of the employees’ accusations, sought to “win the proverbial race to the courthouse,” said the plaintiff’s team, and filed a complaint for declaratory judgment on Aug. 27, 2020 in the circuit court of Cook County in Illinois, asserting that the employees had to arbitrate any claims brought against C.D. Peacock.

The complaint was dismissed without prejudice, in part because C.D. Peacock did not provide copies of the alleged agreements that bound the employees to arbitrate claims, court papers show.

In the federal case, C.D. Peacock’s team asked for additional time, two weeks, to respond to Krajisnik’s motion for reconsideration on the ruling to seal documents, but the plaintiff’s team countered they could give only two days.

The bickering elicited a scolding of the plaintiff’s attorney from U.S. District Court Judge John Z. Lee, who granted the two-week extension.

“The court expects more from the attorneys who practice in the Northern District of Illinois,” he said, adding that attorneys can “zealously represent the interests of their respective clients, while simultaneously extending to one another some basic degree of professional courtesy.”

CD Peacock’s team said in April that Krajisnik’s insistence on reconsideration of the motion to seal exhibits, despite the court’s prior ruling, was “a clear misuse of the judicial process and an improper attempt to increase the expense and contentiousness of this litigation.”

Krajisnik voluntarily dismissed the case later that month.

There have been no changes to C.D. Peacock’s watch distribution, said a spokesperson, and its website still advertises the jeweler as an authorized Rolex and Patek Philippe dealer. 

C.D. Peacock was founded in Chicago in 1837, making it one of the city’s oldest retailers, and has three locations in Illinois.

The Latest

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

Stock image of woman shopping
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

Sorellina Playlist: Electric Dreams Campaign
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired Jewels

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The Jewelry Symposium event
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 Event

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

Exterior of Marissa Collections’ new store in Nantucket, Massachusetts
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight Continues

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Counterfeit Cartier “Juste Un Clou” bracelet
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef Jewelry

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

Karine Choudhrie Big Splash Circus Starfish and Lantern Fish
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus Performers

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

Jewelers of America
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund Recipients

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

John Dyer Montana Sun Sapphire
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for Entries

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Khepri Jewels Luna collection fancy color fringe multi-shape drop diamond earrings
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local Retailer

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

“Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch for the new The Fantastic Four movie
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

XO Tacori diamond ring
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Collection

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

Graphic for Las Vegas recap episode of “My Next Question”
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Luanda Accord
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural Diamonds

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

Penny Preville, Maggie Hess, Stella Song, and Benjamin King
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry Designers

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy