"I think people who have a certain aesthetic want to pass that on, " said David Jacob, founder of Mini Jake and Two Jakes, New York stores specializing in vintage and new modern furniture.

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In furtherance of this fraud, the two entities and four Defendants falsely represented that the individuals were customers of Highway Furniture and New York Funding.

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Diet member Tetsundo Iwakuni tried to make Obuchi choose between the two by telling a story of a constituent who couldn't decide whether to buy new furniture now--or wait until later when the sales tax would be abolished.

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Among items he claimed for, according to the Daily Telegraph which has been publishing leaked details of MPs expenses, were a new kitchen, seven doors, wooden flooring, bedroom furniture, chairs and tables, two bookcases and a television.

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