Federal Trade Commission v. IAB Marketing Associates, LP
Filing
72
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. Signed by Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. on 10/9/2012. (Attachments: # 1 Financial Statement - Individual Defendant, # 2 Financial Statement - Corporate Defendant, # 3 Consent to Release of Financial Records) (rss)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
Case No. 12-61830- Civ-SCOLA
__________________________________________
)
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION,
)
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Plaintiff,
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v.
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IAB MARKETING ASSOCIATES, LP, also
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d/b/a IAB;
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INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF
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BUSINESSES, also d/b/a IAB;
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HEALTHCORP INTERNATIONAL, INC., also
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d/b/a IAB;
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JW MARKETING DESIGNS, LLC, also d/b/a
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IAB;
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INTERNATIONAL MARKETING AGENCIES,
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LP, also d/b/a IAB;
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INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
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MANAGEMENT, LLC also d/b/a IAB;
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WOOD, LLC, also d/b/a IAB;
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HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS, INC.;
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MAGNOLIA HEALTH MANAGEMENT
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CORPORATION, also d/b/a Health Service
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Providers;
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MAGNOLIA TECHNOLOGIES
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CORPORATION, also d/b/a Health Service
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Providers;
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FAV MARKETING, INC., also d/b/a Health
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Service Providers;
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JAMES C. WOOD;
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JAMES J. WOOD;
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MICHAEL J. WOOD;
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GARY D. WOOD;
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ROY D. HAMILTON; and
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JUDY M. HAMILTON,
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Defendants.
__________________________________________ )
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
On September 18, 2012, Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), filed its
Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief pursuant to Sections 13(b) and
19 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 53(b) and 57b, and the
Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act (“Telemarketing Act”), 15
U.S.C. §§ 6101-6108, against IAB Marketing Associates, LP, also d/b/a IAB; Independent
Association of Businesses, also d/b/a IAB; HealthCorp International, Inc., also d/b/a IAB; JW
Marketing Designs, LLC, also d/b/a IAB; International Marketing Agencies, LP, also d/b/a IAB;
International Marketing Management, LLC, also d/b/a IAB; Wood, LLC, also d/b/a IAB; James
C. Wood; James J. Wood; Michael J. Wood; Gary D. Wood; Health Service Providers, Inc.;
Magnolia Health Management Corporation, also d/b/a Health Service Providers; Magnolia
Technologies Corporation, also d/b/a Health Service Providers; Fav Marketing, Inc., also d/b/a
Health Service Providers; Roy D. Hamilton; and Judy M. Hamilton. (ECF No. 1) The Court
subsequently entered a Temporary Restraining Order with an Asset Freeze, Appointment of a
Temporary Receiver and Monitor, Immediate Access, Other Equitable Relief, and for an Order
to Show Cause Why a Preliminary Injunction Should Not Issue on September 18, 2012. (ECF
No. 17.) On October 9, 2012, this Court entered a Stipulated Preliminary Injunction against
Defendants Health Service Providers, Inc., Magnolia Health Management Corporation, Magnolia
Technologies Corporation, Fav Marketing, Inc., Roy Hamilton and Judy Hamilton (the
“Stipulating Defendants”). This Preliminary Injunction relates to the remaining Defendants,
IAB Marketing Associates, LP, Independent Association of Businesses, HealthCorp
International, Inc., JW Marketing Designs, LLC, International Marketing Agencies, LP,
International Marketing Management, LLC, Wood, LLC, James C. Wood, James J. Wood,
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Michael J. Wood and Gary D. Wood (the “Non-Stipulating Defendants”).1
The Court, having conducted a hearing to show cause why a preliminary injunction
should not issue and having considered the Complaint, declarations, exhibits, memoranda, and
argument presented by the parties, makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law:
I. FINDINGS OF FACT
1.
This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this case, and there is good cause to
believe that it will have jurisdiction over all parties hereto and that venue in this district is
proper;
2.
There is good cause to believe that the Non-Stipulating Defendants have engaged in and
are likely to engage in acts or practices that violate Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15
U.S.C. § 45(a), and that the FTC is therefore likely to prevail on the merits of this action.
As demonstrated by the 71 Consumer Declarations and the additional documentation
filed by the FTC, the FTC has established the likelihood of success in showing that the
Non-Stipulating Defendants have made serious misrepresentations leading consumers to
believe, among other things, that an Association Membership is health insurance or the
equivalent of such insurance. (See, e.g., ECF Nos. 8, 9, & 15 (Pxs. 1-40 & 151).)
3.
There is also good cause to believe that the Non-Stipulating Defendants have engaged in
and are likely to engage in acts or practices that violate the FTC’s Trade Regulation Rule
entitled “Telemarketing Sales Rule” (“TSR”), 16 C.F.R. Part 310, and that the FTC is
1
The fact that some Defendants entered into a stipulated preliminary injunction was not a
consideration in evaluating the sufficiency of the FTC’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction
against the remaining Defendants. In other words, that some Defendants consented to a
preliminary injunction in no way prejudiced or affected the Court’s evaluation of the merits of
this case against the remaining Defendants. The only reason for the use of the terms “Stipulating
Non-Stipulating Defendants” and “Non-Stipulating Defendants” is for clarity of the record. For
practical purposes, the terms may well have been the “Florida Defendants” and the “Texas
Defendants.”
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therefore likely to prevail on the merits of this action. Based on the evidence presented,
including 30 Consumer Declarations and additional documentation filed by the FTC, the
FTC has established the likelihood of success on the merits that the Non-Stipulating
Defendants violated the TSR in numerous respects. First, Non-Stipulating Defendants
made, or caused false and misleading statements to induce persons to pay for services, in
violation of 16 C.F.R. § 310.4(a)(4). (See, e.g., ECF Nos. 8, 9, & 15 (Pxs. 1-40 & 151).)
Second, Non-Stipulating tipulating Defendants violated 16 C.F.R. § 310.4(b)(1)(iii)(A) &
(B) by initiating, or causing another to initiate, numerous telephone calls to telephone
numbers listed on the Do Not Call Registry or to consumers who have previously stated
to the telemarketers that they do not wish to receive calls made by, or on behalf of, the
Non-Stipulating Defendants. (See, e.g., ECF Nos. 9-2, 12-2, 13-3 (Pxs. 41-51, 53-68, 89,
124).) Third, Non-Stipulating Defendants have also failed to pay the required fees for
access to the DNC Registry, in violation of Part 310.8 of the TSR. (See ECF No. 16 (Px.
163).) Fourth, Non-Stipulating Defendants have further violated the TSR by initiating
numerous telephone calls to consumers in which they failed to promptly connect the
consumers who answered the call with a sales representative, in violation of Part
310.4(b)(1)(iv) of the TSR. (See, e.g., ECF No. 9-2 (Pxs. 43, 46-47, 55, 57, 59, 63-64,
67-68).) And fifth, Non-Stipulating Defendants have caused telemarketers to deliver
numerous prerecorded messages to consumers who have not previously provided them
with an express written agreement authorizing the placement of prerecorded calls to the
consumers, in violation of Part 310.4(b)(1)(v) of the TSR. (See, e.g., ECF No. 9-2 & (Px.
67, 127).)
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4.
There is good cause to believe that immediate and irreparable harm will result from the
Non-Stipulating Defendants’ ongoing violations of the FTC Act and the TSR unless the
Non-Stipulating Defendants are restrained and enjoined by Order of this Court.
5.
Good cause also exists for: (a) the appointment of a Receiver over Corporate IAB NonStipulating Defendants and the Assets of the Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants;
(c) the freezing of Non-Stipulating Defendants’ Assets; and (c) the ancillary relief
ordered below. The FTC has demonstrated a likelihood that the Individual IAB NonStipulating Defendants are individually liable and properly subject to an asset freeze. See
F. T. C. v. Gem Merchandising Corp., 87 F.3d 466, 470 (11th Cir. 1996). Specifically,
the FTC is likely to prevail in showing that Non-Stipulating Defendants James C. Wood,
James J. Wood, Michael J. Wood, and Gary D. Wood have, or have had, the ability to
control the Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants because each is an officer,
manager, or majority shareholder of one or more of the Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating
Defendants. (ECF Nos. 12-14, 16 (Pxs. 74, 98, 100, 111, 113-119, 127, 157, 159, 163).)
Additionally, the FTC has demonstrated it will likely prevail in showing that NonStipulating Defendants James C. Wood, James J. Wood, Michael J. Wood, and Gary D.
Wood either had knowledge of the misrepresentations, were recklessly indifferent to the
fact that misrepresentations were being made, or were aware that there was a high
probability that misrepresentations were made but intentionally avoided the truth. (See
id.)
6.
After weighing the equities and considering the FTC’s likelihood of ultimate success on
the merits, a preliminary injunction with an asset freeze and the appointment of a
Receiver is in the public interest; and
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7.
The FTC is an independent agency of the United States of America and no security is
required of any agency of the United States for issuance of a preliminary injunction. Fed.
R. Civ. P. 65(c).
II. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Preliminary Injunction (“Order”), the following definitions shall
apply:
1.
“Asset” means any legal or equitable interest in, right to, or claim to, any real, personal,
or intellectual property including, but not limited to, chattel, goods, instruments,
equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, effects, leaseholds, contracts, mail or other
deliveries, shares or stock, securities, inventory, checks, notes, accounts, credits,
receivables (as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), insurance
policies, lines of credit, cash, trusts (including but not limited to asset protection trusts),
lists of consumer names and reserve funds or any other accounts associated with any
payments processed by, or on behalf of, any Non-Stipulating Defendant, including, but
not limited to, such reserve funds held by payment processors, credit card processors,
banks or other financial institutions.
2.
“Assisting Others” includes providing any of the following goods or services to another
entity: (1) performing customer service functions, including, but not limited to, charging
consumers for products or services, or receiving or responding to consumer complaints;
(2) formulating or providing, or arranging for the formulation or provision of, any sales
script or other marketing material; (3) providing names of, or assisting in the generation
of, potential customers; (4) performing or providing marketing or billing services of any
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kind; (5) processing credit and debit card payments; or (6) acting as an officer or director
of a business, corporation or other entity.
3.
“Association Membership” means any product or service that Defendants market
directly, or through any Person, to consumers as providing health-related benefits,
savings, or discounts.
4.
“Clear and Conspicuous” or “Clearly and Conspicuously” mean:
a. In print communications, the message shall be presented in a manner that stands out
from the accompanying text, so that it is sufficiently prominent, because of its type
size, contrast to the background against which it appears, location, or other
characteristics, for an ordinary consumer to notice, read, and comprehend it in
relation to any claim it may be modifying;
b. In communications made through an electronic medium (e.g., television, Internet,
telephone, etc.), the message shall be presented simultaneously in both the audio and
visual portions of the communication. In any communication presented solely
through visual or audio means, the message shall be made through the same means in
which the communication is presented. In any communication disseminated by
means of an interactive electronic medium (e.g., Internet), a disclosure must be
unavoidable and presented prior to the consumer incurring any financial obligation.
Any audio message shall be delivered in a volume and cadence sufficient for an
ordinary consumer to hear and comprehend it in relation to any claim it may be
modifying. Any visual message shall be presented in a manner that stands out in the
context in which it is presented, so that it is sufficiently prominent, because of its size
and shade, contrast to the background against which it appears, length of time it
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appears on the screen, and its location, for an ordinary consumer to notice, read, and
comprehend it in relation to any claim it may be modifying; and
c. Regardless of the medium used to disseminate it, the message shall be in
understandable language and syntax. Nothing contrary to, inconsistent with, or in
mitigation of the message shall be used in any communication.
5.
“Corporate Defendants” means Corporate HSP Defendants and Corporate IAB
Defendants.
6.
“Corporate HSP Defendants” means Health Service Providers, Inc.; Magnolia Health
Management Corporation, also d/b/a Health Service Providers; Magnolia Technologies
Corporation, also d/b/a Health Service Providers; Fav Marketing, Inc., also d/b/a Health
Service Providers; and their divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors,
and assigns.
7.
“Corporate IAB Defendants” means IAB Marketing Associates, LP, also d/b/a IAB;
Independent Association of Businesses, also d/b/a IAB; HealthCorp International, Inc.,
also d/b/a IAB; JW Marketing Designs, LLC, also d/b/a IAB; International Marketing
Agencies, LP, also d/b/a IAB; International Marketing Management, LLC, also d/b/a
IAB; Wood, LLC, also d/b/a IAB; and their divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates,
predecessors, successors, and assigns.
8.
“Defendants” means all of the Individual Defendants and the Corporate Defendants,
individually, collectively, or in any combination.
9.
“Document” or “Documents” is synonymous in meaning and equal in scope to the
usage of the term in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 34(a), and encompasses both paper
Documents and electronically stored information—including writings, drawings, graphs,
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charts, Internet sites, Web pages, Web sites, electronic correspondence (including email,
instant messages, text messages, and other correspondence transmitted on cell phones,
smart phones and other mobile devices), photographs, audio and video recordings,
contracts, accounting data, advertisements (including, but not limited to, advertisements
placed on the World Wide Web), FTP Logs, Server Access Logs, books, written or
printed records, handwritten notes, telephone logs, telephone scripts, receipt books,
ledgers, personal and business cancelled checks, check registers, bank statements,
appointment books, computer records and files, mobile electronic records and files,
images, and other data or data compilations—stored in any medium from which
information can be obtained either directly or, if necessary, after translation by the NonStipulating Defendants into a reasonably usable form. A draft or non-identical copy is a
separate Document within the meaning of the term.
10.
“FTC Act” means the Federal Trade Commission Act codified at 15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58.
11.
“HSP Defendants” means Corporate HSP Defendants and Individual HSP NonStipulating Defendants.
12.
“IAB Defendants” means Corporate IAB Defendants and Individual IAB Defendants.
13.
“Individual Defendants” means Individual IAB Defendants and Individual HSP
Defendants.
14.
“Individual IAB Defendants” means James C. Wood, James J. Wood, Michael J.
Wood, and Gary D. Wood.
15.
“Individual HSP Defendants” means Roy D. Hamilton and Judy M. Hamilton.
16.
“Material” means likely to affect a person’s choice of, or conduct regarding, goods or
services.
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17.
“National Do Not Call Registry” means the registry of telephone numbers maintained
by the Commission, pursuant to Section 310.4(b)(1)(iii)(B) of the TSR, 16 C.F.R. §
310.4(b)(1)(iii)(B), of persons who do not wish to receive outbound telephone calls to
induce the purchase of goods or services.
18.
“Defendant” or “Non-Stipulating Defendants” means the IAB Defendants.
19.
“Person” shall be construed in its broadest sense and means both natural persons and
artificial entities including, but not limited to, sole proprietorships, general partnerships,
limited partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability partnerships, limited liability
companies, corporations, sub-chapter S corporations, closely held corporations,
professional corporations, business associations, business trusts, and all past and present
officers, directors, agents, employees, parent companies, subsidiaries, predecessors,
successors, affiliates, assigns, divisions or other persons acting or purporting to act on
such person’s behalf.
20.
“Plaintiff” or “Commission” or “FTC” means the Federal Trade Commission.
21.
“Provider” means a Person providing healthcare related services to consumers,
including professionals trained in medicine and health services such as doctors, nurses,
physical therapists, as well as health facilities or institutions such as hospitals, clinics,
primary care centers, and other service delivery points.
22.
“Receiver” means the receiver appointed in Section XIV of this Order and any deputy
receivers that shall be named by the receiver.
23.
“Receivership Defendants” means the Corporate Defendants and the Assets of the
Individual IAB Defendants.
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24.
“Representative” or “Representatives” means Defendants’ officers, agents, servants,
employees, and attorneys, and any other person or entity in active concert or participation
with them, who receives actual notice of this Order by personal service or otherwise.
25.
“Telemarketing” means any plan, program, or campaign that is conducted to induce the
purchase of goods or services or a charitable contribution by use of one or more
telephones.
26.
“Telemarketing Sales Rule” or “TSR” means the Telemarketing Sales Rule set forth in
16 C.F.R. Part 310.
III. PROHIBITED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES – MEDICAL DISCOUNT PLANS OR
HEALTH-RELATED INSURED BENEFITS
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their Representatives,
whether acting directly or through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division, director,
manager, member, affiliate, agent, independent contractor, accountant, financial advisor, or other
device, are hereby restrained and enjoined from: (1) advertising, marketing, promoting, offering
for sale, or selling any products or services that are related to, or purportedly related to, medical
discount plans or health-related insured benefits; and (2) Assisting Others with advertising,
marketing, promoting, offering for sale, or selling any products or services related to medical
discount plans or health-related insured benefits.
IV. PROHIBITED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES - MISREPRESENTATIONS
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their Representatives,
whether acting directly or indirectly through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
director, manager, member, affiliate, agent, independent contractor, accountant, financial
advisor, or other device, in connection with the marketing of goods or services, are hereby
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restrained and enjoined from making, or assisting in the making of, expressly or by implication,
any false or misleading statement or representation of material fact, including but not limited to:
A.
There is a link between any company with a non-profit status and Non-Stipulating
Defendants’ ability to provide goods or services at a discounted rate;
B.
Any material terms regarding the total cost to purchase, receive, or use, and the
quantity of, any goods or services that are subject to the sales offer;
C.
Any material restrictions, limitations, or conditions to purchase, receive, or use
the goods or services sold; and
D.
Any material aspect of the performance, efficiency, nature, characteristics,
benefits, or qualities of the goods or services.
V. PROHIBITED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES – VIOLATING THE TSR
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their Representatives,
whether acting directly or indirectly through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
director, manager, member, affiliate, agent, independent contractor, accountant, financial
advisor, or other device, in connection with Telemarketing of any goods or services are hereby
restrained and enjoined from violating any provision of the TSR, 16 C.F.R. Part 310, including
but not limited to:
A.
Initiating outbound calls, or causing others to initiate outbound calls, and failing
to disclose truthfully, promptly, and in a Clear and Conspicuous manner to the person receiving a
call in connection with Telemarketing: (1) the identity of the seller, or (2) the nature of the goods
or services;
B.
Failing to connect, or causing another to fail to connect, an outbound call to a
consumer made in connection with Telemarketing to a sales representative within two seconds of
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the completed greeting of the person answering the call;
C.
Initiating any outbound telephone calls, or causing others to initiate outbound
telephone calls, that deliver prerecorded messages;
D.
Initiating any outbound telephone calls, or causing others to initiate outbound
telephone calls, to any person’s telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry;
E.
Initiating outbound telephone calls, or causing another to initiate outbound
telephone calls, to a person who has previously stated that he or she does not wish to receive
such a call made by or on behalf of the IAB Defendants; and
F.
Initiating outbound telephone calls, or causing others to initiate outbound
telephone calls, to a telephone number within a given area code when Non-Stipulating
Defendants have not, either directly or through another Person, paid the required annual fee for
access to the telephone numbers within that area code that are included in the National Do Not
Call Registry.
VI. ASSET FREEZE
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their
Representatives, whether acting directly or through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
director, manager, member, affiliate, independent contractor, accountant, financial advisor, or
other device, are hereby restrained and enjoined from:
A.
Transferring, liquidating, converting, encumbering, pledging, loaning, selling,
concealing, dissipating, disbursing, assigning, relinquishing, spending, withdrawing, granting a
lien or security interest or other interest in, or otherwise disposing any funds, real or personal
property, accounts, contracts, shares of stock, lists of consumer names, or other Assets, or any
interest therein, wherever located, including outside the United States, that are:
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1. owned, controlled or held, in whole or in part, by any Non-Stipulating
Defendant;
2. held, in whole or in part, for the direct or indirect benefit of, any NonStipulating Defendant;
3. in the actual or constructive possession of any Non-Stipulating Defendant;
4. held by an agent of any Non-Stipulating Defendant as a retainer for the
agent’s provision of services to Non-Stipulating Defendants;
5. owned or controlled by, or in the actual or constructive possession of, or
otherwise held for the benefit of, any corporation, partnership, asset protection
trust, or other entity that is directly or indirectly owned, managed or controlled
by any of the Non-Stipulating Defendants, or of which any Non-Stipulating
Defendant is an Officer, Director, Member, or Manager. This includes, but is
not limited to, any Assets held by, for, or subject to access by, any of the NonStipulating Defendants at any bank or savings and loan institution, or at/with
any broker-dealer, escrow agent, title company, insurance company,
commodity trading company, precious metal dealer, payment processor, credit
card processor, acquiring bank, merchant bank, independent sales
organization, third party processor, payment gateway or other financial
institution or depository of any kind; or
6. held in any account for which any Non-Stipulating Defendant is, or was on the
date that this Order was signed, an authorized signor.
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B.
Opening or causing to be opened any safe deposit boxes, commercial mail boxes,
or storage facilities titled in the name of any Non-Stipulating Defendant, either individually or
jointly, or subject to access by any Non-Stipulating Defendant;
C.
Obtaining a personal or secured loan encumbering the Assets of any Non-
Stipulating Defendant, or subject to access by any Non-Stipulating Defendant;
D.
Incurring liens or other encumbrances on real property, personal property, or
other Assets in the name, individually or jointly, of any Non-Stipulating Defendant or of any
corporation, partnership, or other entity directly or indirectly owned, managed, or controlled by
any Non-Stipulating Defendant; or
E.
Incurring charges or cash advances on any credit or bank card issued in the name,
individually or jointly, of any Corporate IAB Defendant or any corporation, partnership, or other
entity directly or indirectly owned, managed, or controlled by any Non-Stipulating Defendant or
of which any Non-Stipulating Defendant is an Officer, Director, Member, or Manager. This
includes, but is not limited to, any corporate bank card or corporate credit card account for which
any Non-Stipulating Defendant is, or was on the date that this Order was signed, an authorized
signor.
PROVIDED that the Assets affected by this Section shall include: (a) all Assets of the
Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants; and (b) all Assets of the Individual IAB NonStipulating Defendants existing as of the date this Order was entered, or acquired by any
Individual IAB Defendant following entry of this Order, if such Assets are derived from any
activity that is the subject of, or is prohibited by, this Order.
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VII. DUTIES OF ASSET HOLDERS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any financial or brokerage institution, credit card
processor, payment processor, merchant bank, acquiring bank, independent sales organization,
third party processor, payment gateway, insurance company, business entity, or person served
with a copy of this Order that (a) holds, controls, or maintains custody of any account or Asset of
any Non-Stipulating Defendant, (b) holds, controls, or maintains custody of any Asset associated
with credits, debits or charges made on behalf of any Non-Stipulating Defendant, including but
not limited to, reserve funds held by payment processors, credit card processors, payment
merchant banks, acquiring banks, independent sales organizations, third party processors,
payment gateways, insurance companies or other entities, or (c) has held, controlled, or
maintained custody of any such account or Asset at any time since the date of entry of this Order
shall:
A.
Hold and retain within its control and prohibit the withdrawal, removal,
assignment, transfer, pledge, encumbrance, disbursement, dissipation, relinquishment,
conversion, sale, or other disposal of any such Assets, as well as all Documents or other property
related to such Assets, except by further order of this Court;
B.
Deny any person, except the Receiver acting pursuant to Section XV of this
Order, access to any safe deposit box, commercial mail box, or storage facility that is:
1.
titled in the name of any Non-Stipulating Defendant, either individually or
jointly; or
2.
C.
otherwise subject to access by any Non-Stipulating Defendant;
Provide the FTC’s counsel and the Receiver, within five (5) days of receiving a
copy of this Order, a sworn statement setting forth:
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1. the identification number of each account or Asset:
a) titled in the name, individually or jointly, of any held on behalf of, or for
the benefit of, any Non-Stipulating Defendants; or
b) associated with credit or debit charges made on behalf of Non-Stipulating
Defendants;
2. the balance of each such account, or a description of the nature and value of
each such Asset as of the close of business on the day on which this Order is
served, and, if the account or other Asset has been closed or removed, the date
closed or removed, the total funds removed in order to close the account, and
the name of the person or entity to whom such account or other Asset was
remitted; and
3. the identification of any safe deposit box, commercial mail box, or storage
facility that is either titled in the name, individually or jointly, of any of the
Non-Stipulating Defendants, or is otherwise subject to access by any of the
Non-Stipulating Defendants; and
D.
Upon the request of the FTC or the Receiver, promptly provide the FTC and the
Receiver with copies of all records or other Documentation pertaining to such account or Asset,
including, but not limited to, originals or copies of account applications, account statements,
signature cards, checks, drafts, deposit tickets, transfers to and from the accounts, including wire
transfers and wire transfer instructions, all other debit and credit instruments or slips, currency
transaction reports, 1099 forms, and all logs and records pertaining to such safe deposit boxes,
commercial mail boxes and storage facilities.
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VIII. FINANCIAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that each Non-Stipulating Defendant, within five (5) days
of service of this Order upon them, shall prepare and deliver to Counsel for the Commission and
the Receiver completed financial statements on the forms attached to this Order as Attachment
A (Financial Statement of Individual Defendant) for themselves individually, and Attachment B
(Financial Statement of Corporate Defendant) for each business entity under which they conduct
business or of which they are an officer, and for each trust for which any Non-Stipulating
Defendant is a trustee. The financial statements shall be accurate as of the date of entry of this
Order and signed under penalty of perjury. Each Non-Stipulating Defendant shall include in the
financial statements all information requested in the statements, including a full accounting of all
funds and Assets, whether located inside or outside of the United States, that are: (a) titled in the
name of such Non-Stipulating Defendant, jointly, severally, or individually; (b) held by any
person or entity for the benefit of such Non-Stipulating Defendant; or (c) under the direct or
indirect control of such Non-Stipulating Defendant. Non-Stipulating Defendants shall attach to
these completed financial statements copies of all local, state, provincial, and federal income and
property tax returns, with attachments and schedules, as called for by the instructions to the
financial statements.
A Non-Stipulating Defendant does not, however, have to provide information pursuant to
this Section VIII (Financial Statements) if (1) the Non-Stipulating Defendant has already
provided all such information pursuant to Section XI (Financial Reports and Accounting) of the
Temporary Restraining Order; and (2) the information provided has not changed. If both of
these conditions are met, the Non-Stipulating Defendant must provide a sworn statement to the
Receiver and Counsel for the Commission stating that all information pursuant to Section XI
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(Financial Reports and Accounting) of the Temporary Restraining Order has already been
provided and further stating that such information has not changed since the information was
initially provided.
IX. FOREIGN ASSET REPATRIATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within five (5) days following the service of this
Order, each Non-Stipulating Defendant shall:
A.
Transfer to the territory of the United States and deliver to the Receiver all funds,
Documents, and Assets located in foreign countries which are: (1) titled in the name individually
or jointly of any Non-Stipulating Defendant; or (2) held by any person or entity, for the benefit
of any Non-Stipulating Defendant; or (3) under the direct or indirect control of any NonStipulating Defendant, whether jointly or singly; and
B.
Provide the Commission and Receiver access to all records of accounts or Assets
of any Non-Stipulating Defendant held by financial institutions located outside the territorial
United States by signing the Consent to Release of Financial Records appended to this Order as
Attachment C.
A Non-Stipulating Defendant does not, however, have to provide the information,
documents, or the release identified in this Section if (1) the Non-Stipulating Defendant has
already provided such information, documents, or release pursuant to Section XII (Foreign Asset
Repatriation) of the Temporary Restraining Order; and (2) the information provided or contained
in the document or release has not changed.
X. INTERFERENCE WITH REPATRIATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their
Representatives, whether acting directly or through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
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director, manager, member, affiliate, independent contractor, accountant, financial advisor, or
other device, are hereby temporarily restrained and enjoined from taking any action, directly or
indirectly, which may result in the encumbrance or dissipation of foreign Assets, or in the
hindrance of the repatriation required by Section IX of this Order, including, but not limited to:
A.
Sending any statement, letter, fax, email or wire transmission, or telephoning or
engaging in any other act, directly or indirectly, that results in a determination by a foreign
trustee or other entity that a “duress” event has occurred under the terms of a foreign trust
agreement until such time that all Non-Stipulating Defendants’ Assets have been fully repatriated
pursuant to Section IX of this Order; or
B.
Notifying any trustee, protector or other agent of any foreign trust or other related
entities of either the existence of this Order, or of the fact that repatriation is required pursuant to
a court order, until such time that all Non-Stipulating Defendants’ Assets have been fully
repatriated pursuant to Section IX of this Order.
XI. CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that pursuant to Section 604(1) of the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(1), any consumer reporting agency served with this Order
shall promptly furnish consumer reports as requested concerning any Non-Stipulating Defendant
to counsel for the Commission.
XII. PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their
Representatives, whether acting directly or through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
director, manager, member, affiliate, independent contractor, accountant, financial advisor, or
other device, are hereby temporarily restrained and enjoined from:
20
A.
Destroying, erasing, falsifying, writing over, mutilating, concealing, altering,
transferring, or otherwise disposing of, in any manner, directly or indirectly, Documents that
relate to: (1) the business, business practices, Assets, or business or personal finances of any
Defendant, (2) the business practices or finances of entities directly or indirectly under the
control of any Defendant, or (3) the business practices or finances of entities directly or
indirectly under common control with any other Defendant, including but not limited to: any and
all Marketing Materials, World Wide Web pages, consumer complaints, rate decks, call detail
records, telephone logs, telephone scripts, contracts, correspondence, email, corporate books and
records, accounting data, financial statements, receipt books, ledgers, personal and business
canceled checks and check registers, bank statements, calendars, appointment books, and tax
returns;
B.
Failing to create and maintain Documents that, in reasonable detail, accurately,
fairly, and completely reflect Non-Stipulating Defendants’ incomes, disbursements, transactions,
and use of the Non-Stipulating Defendants’ Assets; and
C.
Creating, operating, or exercising any control over any new business entity,
whether newly formed or previously inactive, including any partnership, limited partnership,
joint venture, sole proprietorship, or corporation, without first providing counsel for the
Commission with a written statement disclosing: (1) the name of the business entity; (2) the
address and telephone number of the business entity; (3) the names of the business entity’s
officers, directors, principals, managers, and employees; and (4) a detailed description of the
business entity’s intended activities.
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XIII. PROHIBITION ON RELEASE OF CUSTOMER INFORMATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their
Representatives, whether acting directly or through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
director, manager, member, affiliate, independent contractor, accountant, financial advisor, or
other device, are hereby temporarily restrained and enjoined from:
A.
Selling, renting, leasing, transferring, or otherwise disclosing the name, address,
telephone number, credit card number, bank account number, email address, or other identifying
information of any person who paid money to a Defendant for an Association Membership or
who were contacted or are on a list to be contacted by any Defendant; and
B.
Benefitting from or using the name, address, birth date, telephone number, email
address, Social Security number, Social Insurance number, credit card number, bank account
number, or other financial or identifying personal information of any Person from whom or
about whom any Defendant obtained such information in connection with any activity that
pertains to the subject matter of this Order.
Provided, however, that the Non-Stipulating Defendants may disclose such identifying
information to a law enforcement agency or as required by any law, regulation, or court order.
XIV. APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Charlene Koonce is appointed as receiver for the
Non-Stipulating Defendants and any of their affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, or telephone sales
or customer service operations, wherever located, with the full power of an equity receiver. The
Receiver shall be the agent of this Court, and solely the agent of this Court, in acting as Receiver
under this Order. The Receiver shall be accountable directly to this Court.
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XV. RECEIVER’S DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Receiver is authorized and directed to
accomplish the following:
A.
Assume full control of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants by
removing, as the Receiver deems necessary or advisable, any director, officer, independent
contractor, employee, or agent of any of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, including
any Defendant, from control of, management of, or participation in, the affairs of the NonStipulating Defendants;
B.
Take exclusive custody, control, and possession of all Assets and Documents of,
or in the possession, custody, or under the control of, the Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating
Defendants, wherever situated, including an inventory of all property of the Individual IAB NonStipulating Defendants. The Receiver shall have full power to divert mail and to sue for, collect,
receive, take in possession, hold, and manage all Assets and Documents of the Corporate IAB
Non-Stipulating Defendants and other persons or entities whose interests are now under the
direction, possession, custody, or control of, the Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants.
The Receiver shall assume control over the Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants’ income
and profits and all sums of money now or hereafter due or owing to the Corporate IAB NonStipulating Defendants. Provided, however, that the Receiver shall not attempt to collect any
amount from a consumer if the Receiver believes the consumer was a victim of the unfair or
deceptive acts or practices or other violations of law alleged in the Complaint in this matter,
without prior Court approval;
C.
Take exclusive custody, control, and possession of the Assets and income of the
Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants. Provided, however, that the Receiver shall not use
23
such Assets or income to pay any obligation incurred by the Individual IAB Non-Stipulating
Defendants or others prior to or after the date of entry of this Order, and shall not otherwise be
liable to pay such obligations. Provided, further, that the Receiver may authorize, in writing, the
Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants to maintain possession of particular Assets of the
Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants, and may revoke such authorization at any time.
The Receiver is also not obligated to pay the rent, mortgage, or other obligations of the
Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants. Notwithstanding the authority of this paragraph,
the Receiver shall not, without further order of this Court: (1) take physical possession of or sell
the Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants’ residences, personal property located at such
residences, or vehicles registered in the Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants’ names; (2)
divert mail addressed to the Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants at their residences; or
(3) take control of any bank account opened after the entry of this Order into which the
Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants have deposited monies earned after the date of this
Order;
D.
Take all steps necessary to secure and take exclusive custody of each location
from which the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants operate their businesses. Such steps
may include, but are not limited to, any of the following, as the Receiver deems necessary or
advisable: (1) serving this Order; (2) completing a written inventory of all Receivership Assets;
(3) obtaining pertinent information from all employees and other agents of the Receivership
Non-Stipulating Defendants, including, but not limited to, the name, home address, Social
Security Number, job description, company history, passwords or access codes, method of
compensation, and all accrued and unpaid commissions and compensation of each such
employee or agent; (4) photographing and videotaping any or all portions of the location; (5)
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securing the location by changing the locks and disconnecting any computer modems or other
means of access to the computer or other records maintained at that location; and (6) requiring
any persons present on the premises at the time this Order is served to leave the premises, to
provide the Receiver with proof of identification, or to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
Receiver that such persons are not removing from the premises Documents or Assets of the NonStipulating Defendants. Law enforcement personnel, including, but not limited to, police or
sheriffs, may assist the Receiver in implementing these provisions in order to keep the peace and
maintain security. If requested by the Receiver, the United States Marshal will provide
appropriate and necessary assistance to the Receiver to implement this Order and is authorized to
use any necessary and reasonable force to do so;
E.
Conserve, hold, and manage all Assets of the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants, and perform all acts necessary or advisable to preserve the value of those Assets in
order to prevent any irreparable loss, damage, or injury to consumers or creditors of the
Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, including, but not limited to, obtaining an accounting
of the Assets and preventing the unauthorized transfer, withdrawal, or misapplication of Assets;
F.
As to Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants, enter into and cancel contracts,
and purchase insurance as advisable or necessary;
G.
Prevent the inequitable distribution of Assets and determine, adjust, and protect
the interests of consumers and creditors who have transacted business with the Receivership
Non-Stipulating Defendants;
H.
Manage and administer the business of the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants, except any business that Individual IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants enter into after
the entry of this Order, until further order of this Court by performing all incidental acts that the
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Receiver deems to be advisable or necessary, which includes but is not limited to retaining,
hiring, or dismissing any employees, independent contractors, or agents;
I.
Prevent the destruction or erasure of any web page or website registered to and
operated, in whole or in part, by Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants;
J.
Take all steps necessary to ensure that any of the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants’ web pages or websites relating to Association Memberships including, but not
limited to, iabbenefits.com, iabusa.com, and iabinsuredbenefits.com, cannot be accessed by the
public, or are modified for consumer education and/or informational purposes;
K.
Choose, engage, and employ attorneys, accountants, appraisers, and other
independent contractors and technical specialists, as the Receiver deems advisable or necessary
in the performance of duties and responsibilities under the authority granted by this Order;
L.
Make payments and disbursements from the receivership estate that are necessary
or advisable for carrying out the directions of, or exercising the authority granted by, this Order.
The Receiver shall apply to the Court for prior approval of any payment of any debt or obligation
incurred by the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants prior to the date of entry of this Order,
except payments that the Receiver deems necessary or advisable to secure Assets of the
Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, such as rental payments;
M.
Suspend business operations of the Corporate IAB Non-Stipulating Defendants if
in the judgment of the Receiver such operations cannot be continued legally or profitably;
N.
Institute, compromise, adjust, appear in, intervene in, or become party to such
actions or proceedings in state, federal or foreign courts or arbitration proceedings as the
Receiver deems necessary and advisable to preserve or recover the Assets of the Receivership
Non-Stipulating Defendants, or that the Receiver deems necessary and advisable to carry out the
26
Receiver’s mandate under this Order, including but not limited to, actions challenging fraudulent
or voidable transfers;
O.
Defend, compromise, adjust, or otherwise dispose of any or all actions or
proceedings instituted in the past or in the future against the Receiver in his role as Receiver, or
against the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, as the Receiver deems necessary and
advisable to preserve the Assets of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, or as the
Receiver deems necessary and advisable to carry out the Receiver’s mandate under this Order;
P.
Issue subpoenas to obtain Documents and records pertaining to the Receivership,
and conduct discovery in this action on behalf of the Receivership estate;
Q.
Open one or more bank accounts as designated depositories for funds of the
Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants. The Receiver shall deposit all funds of the
Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants in such a designated account and shall make all
payments and disbursements from the Receivership estate from such an account. The Receiver
shall serve copies of monthly account statements on all parties;
R.
Maintain accurate records of all receipts and expenditures incurred as Receiver;
S.
Cooperate with reasonable requests for information or assistance from any state or
federal law enforcement agency; and
T.
File timely reports with the Court at reasonable intervals, or as otherwise directed
by the Court.
XVI. TRANSFER OF RECEIVERSHIP PROPERTY TO RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Non-Stipulating Defendants, their
Representatives, and any other person, with possession, custody or control of property of or
records relating to the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants shall, upon notice of this Order
27
by personal service or otherwise, immediately notify the Receiver of, and, upon receiving a
request from the Receiver, immediately transfer or deliver to the Receiver possession, custody,
and control of, the following:
A.
All Assets of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants;
B.
All Documents of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Non-Stipulating Defendants,
including, but not limited to, books and records of accounts, all financial and accounting records,
balance sheets, income statements, bank records (including monthly statements, canceled checks,
records of wire transfers, and check registers), client lists, title Documents and other papers;
C.
All computers, electronic devices and machines and data in whatever form used to
conduct the business of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants;
D.
All Assets and Documents belonging to other persons or entities whose interests
are under the direction, possession, custody, or control of the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants; and
E.
All keys, codes, user names and passwords necessary to gain or to secure access
to any Assets or Documents of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, including, but not
limited to, access to their business premises, means of communication, accounts, computer
systems, or other property.
In the event that any person or entity fails to deliver or transfer any Asset or Document,
or otherwise fails to comply with any provision of this Section, the Receiver may file ex parte an
Affidavit of Non-Compliance regarding the failure. Upon filing of the affidavit, the Court may
authorize, without additional process or demand, Writs of Possession or Sequestration or other
equitable writs requested by the Receiver. The writs shall authorize and direct the United States
Marshal or any sheriff or deputy sheriff of any county, or any other federal or state law
28
enforcement officer, to seize the Asset, Document, or other item covered by this Section and to
deliver it to the Receiver.
XVII. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TO RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants shall provide to the
Receiver, immediately upon request, the following:
A.
A list of all Assets and property, including accounts, of the Receivership Non-
Stipulating Defendants that are held in any name other than the name of a Receivership
Defendant, or by any person or entity other than a Receivership Defendant; and
B.
A list of all agents, employees, officers, servants or those persons in active
concert and participation with the Non-Stipulating Defendants, who have been associated or
done business with the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants.
A Non-Stipulating Defendant does not, however, have to provide information pursuant to
this Section if (1) the Non-Stipulating Defendant has already provided all such information to the
Temporary Monitor pursuant to Section XXX (Provision of Information To Monitor) of the
Temporary Restraining Order; and (2) the information provided has not changed. If both of
these conditions are met, the Non-Stipulating Defendant must provide a sworn statement to the
Receiver and Counsel for the Commission stating that all information pursuant to Section XXX
of the Temporary Restraining Order has already been provided and further stating that such
information has not changed since the information was initially provided.
XVIII. COOPERATION WITH THE RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants, their Representatives,
and any other person served with a copy of this Order shall fully cooperate with and assist the
Receiver in taking and maintaining possession, custody, or control of the Assets and Documents
29
of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants. This cooperation and assistance shall include,
but not be limited to: providing information to the Receiver that the Receiver deems necessary to
exercise the authority and discharge the responsibilities of the Receiver under this Order;
providing any password required to access any computer, electronic file, or telephonic data in
any medium; advising all persons who owe money to the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants that all debts should be paid directly to the Receiver; and transferring funds at the
Receiver’s direction and producing records related to the Assets and sales of the Receivership
Non-Stipulating Defendants. The entities obligated to cooperate with the Receiver under this
provision include, but are not limited to, banks, broker-dealers, savings and loans, escrow agents,
title companies, commodity trading companies, precious metals dealers, credit card processors,
payment processors, merchant banks, acquiring banks, independent sales organizations, third
party processors, payment gateways, insurance companies and other financial institutions and
depositories of any kind, as well as all common carriers, telecommunications companies and
third-party billing agents.
XIX. INTERFERENCE WITH THE RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Non-Stipulating Defendants and their
Representatives, whether acting directly or through any entity, corporation, subsidiary, division,
director, manager, member, affiliate, independent contractor, accountant, financial advisor, or
other device, except as provided herein, as stipulated by the parties, or as directed by further
order of the Court, are hereby restrained and enjoined from:
A.
Interfering with the Receiver’s efforts to manage, or take custody, control, or
possession of, the Assets or Documents subject to this Receivership;
B.
Transacting any of the business of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants;
30
C.
Transferring, receiving, altering, selling, encumbering, pledging, assigning,
liquidating, or otherwise disposing of any Assets owned, controlled, or in the possession or
custody of, or in which an interest is held or claimed by, the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants or the Receiver; and
D.
Refusing to cooperate with the Receiver or the Receiver’s duly authorized agents
in the exercise of their duties or authority under any order of this Court.
XX. STAY OF ACTIONS AGAINST RECEIVERSHIP
NON-STIPULATING DEFENDANTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, except by leave of this Court, during pendency of
the Receivership ordered herein, Non-Stipulating Defendants, their Representatives,
corporations, subsidiaries, divisions, or affiliates, and all investors, creditors, stockholders,
lessors, customers and other persons seeking to establish or enforce any claim, right, or interest
against or on behalf of Non-Stipulating Defendants, and all others acting for or on behalf of such
persons, are hereby enjoined from taking action that would interfere with the exclusive
jurisdiction of this Court over the Assets or Documents of the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants, including, but not limited to:
A.
Petitioning, or assisting in the filing of a petition, that would cause any
Receivership Defendant to be placed in bankruptcy;
B.
Commencing, prosecuting, or continuing a judicial, administrative, or other action
or proceeding against the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, including the issuance or
employment of process against the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, except that such
actions may be commenced if necessary to toll any applicable statute of limitations;
C.
Filing or enforcing any lien on any Asset of the Receivership Non-Stipulating
Defendants, taking or attempting to take possession, custody, or control of any Asset of the
31
Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, or attempting to foreclose, forfeit, alter, or terminate
any interest in any Asset of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants, whether such acts are
part of a judicial proceeding, are acts of self-help, or otherwise;
D.
Initiating any other process or proceeding that would interfere with the Receiver’s
efforts to manage or take custody, control, or possession of, the Assets or Documents subject to
this receivership.
PROVIDED that this Order does not stay: (i) the commencement or continuation of a
criminal action or proceeding; (ii) the commencement or continuation of an action or proceeding
by a governmental unit to enforce such governmental unit’s police or regulatory power; or (iii)
the enforcement of a judgment, other than a money judgment, obtained in an action or
proceeding by a governmental unit to enforce such governmental unit’s police or regulatory
power.
XXI. COMPENSATION OF RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Receiver and all personnel hired by the Receiver
as herein authorized, including counsel to the Receiver and accountants, are entitled to
reasonable compensation for the performance of duties pursuant to this Order and for the cost of
actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them, from the Assets now held by, in the possession
or control of, or which may be received by, the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants. The
Receiver shall file with the Court and serve on the parties periodic requests for the payment of
such reasonable compensation, with the first such request filed no more than sixty (60) days after
the date of entry of this Order. The Receiver shall not increase the hourly rates used as the bases
for such fee applications without prior approval of the Court.
32
XXII. RECEIVER’S BOND
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Receiver shall, if he or she has not already done
so, file with the Clerk of this Court a bond in the sum of $10,000 with sureties to be approved by
the Court, conditioned that the Receiver will well and truly perform the duties of the office and
abide by and perform all acts the Court directs. 28 U.S.C. § 754.
XXIII. ACCESS TO BUSINESS OFFICES AND RECORDS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in order to allow the Commission and the Receiver
to preserve Assets and evidence relevant to this action, and to expedite discovery, the Receiver
and his or her agents, and assistants, shall have immediate access to the business premises of the
Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants. Such locations include, but are not limited to 701
Highlander Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington, Texas 76015. The Receiver and his or her
representatives, agents, and assistants, are authorized to obtain the assistance of the U.S.
Marshal’s office and other federal, state and local law enforcement officers as they deem
necessary to effect service and to implement peacefully the provisions of this Order. The
Receiver and his or her representatives, agents, and assistants, are authorized to remove
Documents from the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants’ premises in order that they may
be inspected, inventoried, and copied for the purpose of preserving discoverable material in
connection with this action.
Furthermore, the Receiver shall allow the Non-Stipulating Defendants reasonable access
to the premises and business records of the Receivership Non-Stipulating Defendants within his
possession for the purpose of inspecting and copying materials relevant to this action. The
Receiver shall have the discretion to determine the time, manner, and reasonable conditions of
such access.
33
XXIV. DISTRIBUTION OF ORDER BY NON-STIPULATING DEFENDANTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Non-Stipulating Defendants shall immediately
provide a copy of this Order to each Representative, affiliate, telemarketer, sales entity,
subsidiary, successor, assign, officer, director, member, manager, employee, independent
contractor, client company, agent, spouse, and attorney of the Non-Stipulating Defendants, and
shall, within five (5) days from the date of entry of this Order, and provide the Commission and
Receiver with a sworn statement that this provision of the Order has been satisfied, which
statement shall include the names, physical addresses, phone number, and e-mail addresses of
each such person or entity who received a copy of the Order. Furthermore, Non-Stipulating
Defendants shall not take any action that would encourage officers, agents, members, directors,
employees, salespersons, independent contractors, attorneys, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors,
assigns or other persons or entities in active concert or participation with them to disregard this
Order or believe that they are not bound by its provisions.
XXV. LIMITED EXPEDITED DISCOVERY
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure 26(d) and (f) and 30(a)(2)(c), and pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure 30(a), 34, and 45, the Commission is granted leave, at any time after service of this
Order, to conduct limited expedited discovery as set forth in this Section. For the purpose of
discovering the (1) nature, location, status, and extent of Non-Stipulating Defendants’ Assets, (2)
nature and location of Documents reflecting the Non-Stipulating Defendants’ businesses,
business transactions and operations, or (3) the telecommunications providers that NonStipulating Defendants utilize to conduct the practices alleged in the FTC’s complaint, Counsel
for the Commission may:
34
A.
Take the deposition of any Person, on three (3) days of notice. The limitations
and conditions set forth in Rules 30(a)(2)(B) and 31(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure regarding subsequent depositions of an individual shall not apply to depositions taken
pursuant to this Section. Any such deposition taken pursuant to this Section shall not be counted
towards the deposition limit set forth in Rules 30(a)(2)(A) and 31(a)(2)(A); and
B.
Demand the production of Documents, on five (5) days of notice, from any
Person, whether or not a party, provided that three (3) days of notice shall be deemed sufficient
for the production of any such Documents that are maintained or stored only in an electronic
format.
Service of discovery upon a party to this lawsuit, taken pursuant to this Section, shall be
sufficient if made by facsimile or by overnight delivery. Any expedited discovery taken
pursuant to this Section is in addition to, and is not subject to, the limits on discovery set forth in
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rules of this Court. The expedited discovery
permitted by this Section does not require a meeting or conference of the parties, pursuant to
Rules 26(d) & (f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
The Parties are exempted from making initial disclosures under Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 26(a)(1)(B) until further order of this Court.
XXVI. SERVICE OF THIS ORDER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order may be served on any Person (including
any financial institution) that may have possession, custody or control of any property, property
right, Document, or Asset of any Non-Stipulating Defendant, or that may be subject to any
provision of this Order pursuant to Rule 65(d)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, by any
means, including U.S. First Class Mail, overnight delivery, facsimile, email or personal service,
35
by agents or employees of Plaintiff, by agents or employees of the Receiver, by any law
enforcement agency, by private process server, or by any person or entity permitted by the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to effect service. For purposes of this Section, service upon
any branch, subsidiary, affiliate or office of any entity shall effect service upon the entire entity.
This Order shall bind Persons (including entities) that may be subject to any provision of this
Order pursuant to Rule 65(d)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure upon such Person’s
receipt of actual notice, by personal service or otherwise, of this Order. See FED. R. CIV. P.
65(d)(2).
XXVII. CORRESPONDENCE AND SERVICE ON COMMISSION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of this Order, all correspondence
and service of pleadings on Plaintiff shall be addressed to:
Dotan Weinman
Patricia Hsue
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Mail Stop H-286
Washington, DC 20580
(202) 326-3049 (Weinman phone)
(202) 326-3132 (Hsue phone)
(202) 326-3395 (fax)
dweinman@ftc.gov
phsue@ftc.gov
XXVIII. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court shall retain jurisdiction of this matter for
all purposes.
DONE and ORDERED at Miami, Florida, on October 9, 2012, at 3:30 p.m..
___________________________________
ROBERT N. SCOLA, JR.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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