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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

 

Plaintiff,

 v.

EXPAND, INC., a corporation, also d/b/a Gigats, 

also d/b/a Education Match, also d/b/a SoftRock, 

Inc., and

AYMAN A. DIFRAWI, a/k/a Alec Difrawi, a/k/a 

Ayman El-Difrawi, individually and as an officer or 

director of EXPAND, INC.

 Defendants.

Case No. ____________

STIPULATED ORDER FOR 

PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND 

MONETARY JUDGMENT 

Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”), filed its Complaint for 

Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief (“Complaint”), for a permanent injunction and 

other equitable relief in this matter, pursuant to Section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act 

(“FTC Act”), 15 U.S.C. § 53(b). The Commission and Defendants stipulate to the entry of this 

Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment (“Order”) to resolve all matters 

in dispute in this action between them.

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows:

FINDINGS

1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter.

2. The Complaint charges that Defendants participated in deceptive acts or practices in 

violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45, in connection with Third-Party Lead 

Generation and the advertising, marketing, or promoting of employment opportunities for sale to 

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educational and other institutions.

3. Defendants neither admit nor deny any of the allegations in the Complaint, except as 

specifically stated in this Order. Only for purposes of this action, Defendants admit the facts 

necessary to establish jurisdiction.

4. Defendants waive any claim that they may have under the Equal Access to Justice 

Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412, concerning the prosecution of this action through the date of this Order, and 

agree to bear their own costs and attorney fees.

5. Defendants and the Commission waive all rights to appeal or otherwise challenge or 

contest the validity of this Order.

DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this Order, the following definitions apply:

A. “Clear(ly) and conspicuous(ly)” means that a required disclosure is difficult to 

miss (i.e., easily noticeable) and easily understandable by ordinary consumers, including in all of 

the following ways:

1. In any communication that is solely visual or solely audible, the disclosure 

must be made through the same means through which the communication is presented. In 

any communication that includes a representation requiring the disclosure and is made 

through both visual and audible means, such as a television advertisement, the disclosure 

must be made through the same means through which the representation is presented.

2. A visual disclosure, by its size, contrast, location, the length of time it 

appears, and other characteristics, must stand out from any accompanying text or other 

visual elements so that it is easily noticed, read, and understood.

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3. An audible disclosure, including by telephone or streaming video, must be 

delivered in a volume, speed, and cadence sufficient for ordinary consumers to easily hear 

and understand it.

4. In any communication using an interactive electronic medium, such as the 

Internet or software, the disclosure must be unavoidable.

5. The disclosure must use diction and syntax understandable to ordinary 

consumers and must appear in each language in which the representation that requires the 

disclosure appears.

6. The disclosure must comply with these requirements in each medium 

through which it is received, including all electronic devices and face-to-face 

communications.

7. The disclosure must not be contradicted or mitigated by, or inconsistent 

with, anything else in the communication.

8. When the representation or sales practice targets a specific audience, such as 

children, the elderly, or the terminally ill, “ordinary consumers” includes reasonable 

members of that group.

B. “Covered Information” means information from or about an individual consumer, 

including, but not limited to (a) first and last name; (b) a home or other physical address, including 

street name and name of city or town; (c) an email address or other online contact information, such 

as an instant messaging user identifier or a screen name; (d) a telephone number; (e) a Social 

Security number; (f) a driver’s license or other government-issued identification number; (g) a 

financial institution account number; (h) credit or debit card information; (i) precise geolocation 

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data of an individual or mobile device, including but not limited to GPS-based, WiFi-based, or 

cell-based location information; or (j) an authentication credential, such as a username and 

password.

C. “Defendants” means the Individual Defendant and the Corporate Defendant, 

individually, collectively, or in any combination.

1. “Corporate Defendant” means Expand, Inc., also d/b/a Gigats, also d/b/a 

Education Match, also d/b/a SoftRock, Inc.

2. “Individual Defendant” means Ayman A. Difrawi, a/k/a Alec Difrawi, 

a/k/a Ayman El-Difrawi.

D. “Sensitive Personal Information” means any of the following about a consumer: 

(a) Social Security number; (b) financial institution account number; (c) credit or debit card 

information; or (d) any other information by which a consumer’s financial account can be accessed, 

or by which a consumer might be charged for goods or services, including through third parties 

such as telecommunications carriers.

E. “Third-Party Lead Generation” means (a) using marketing techniques to identify 

or attract prospective customers’ interest in a third party’s product or service, (b) obtaining Covered 

Information of prospective customers for the third party’s product or service, or (c) providing any 

such Covered Information of prospective customers to the third party.

ORDER

I. PROHIBITION AGAINST MISREPRESENTATIONS

IT IS ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, 

and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice 

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of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with Third-Party Lead 

Generation, the use of any company’s name or logo, or advertising, marketing, or promoting

employment opportunities are permanently restrained and enjoined from misrepresenting, 

expressly or by implication: 

A. Whether consumers have applied or are applying to an employment opportunity

through Defendants’ services;

B. Whether Defendants represent prospective employers;

C. Whether Defendants or their employees or representatives are independent or paid;

D. The purpose for which Defendants are collecting Covered Information;

E. The relationship Defendants have with prospective employers, educational 

institutions, or other third parties;

F. Whether Defendants find the best educational opportunities for consumers;

G. Whether using Defendants’ services is a necessary step to apply for an employment 

opportunity;

H. The necessity of consumers obtaining additional education in order to qualify for 

employment;

I. Any aspect of the performance, benefits, or characteristics of a product or service;

J. Whether Defendants’ services are guaranteed;

K. The quality of educational opportunities marketed by Defendants; and

L. The salary or other benefits offered by an employment opportunity.

II. PROHIBITION AGAINST PROMOTING OR ADVERTISING

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT A REASONABLE BASIS

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, 

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and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive 

actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with Third-Party

Lead Generation, the use of any company’s name or logo, or advertising, marketing, or promoting

employment opportunities are permanently restrained and enjoined from promoting or advertising

that an employment opportunity is currently open or available unless Defendants have a reasonable 

basis to expect that the employment opportunity is one for which the prospective employer is 

currently hiring.

III. PROHIBITION AGAINST TRANSFERRING SENSITIVE PERSONAL

INFORMATION WITHOUT EXPRESS INFORMED CONSENT

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, 

and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive 

actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with Third-Party

Lead Generation or advertising, marketing, or promoting employment opportunities are 

permanently restrained and enjoined from transferring Sensitive Personal Information, whether 

directly or through an intermediary, to a third party unless the individual consumer whose 

information is being transferred has provided express informed consent.

IV. PROHIBITION AGAINST TRANSFERRING COVERED INFORMATION

WITHOUT MANDATORY DISCLOSURES

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, 

and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive 

actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with Third-Party

Lead Generation or advertising, marketing, or promoting employment opportunities are 

permanently restrained and enjoined from transferring Covered Information, whether directly or 

through an intermediary, to a third party unless Defendants have Clearly and Conspicuously 

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disclosed to the individual consumer whose information is being transferred:

A. That the consumer’s information will be transferred to a third party; and

B. Defendants’ relationship with the third-party recipient.

V. MONETARY JUDGMENT AND PARTIAL SUSPENSION

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: 

A. Judgment in the amount of ninety million, two hundred thousand dollars 

($90,200,000) is entered in favor of the Commission against Defendants, jointly and severally, as 

equitable monetary relief. 

B. Defendants are ordered to pay to the Commission three hundred sixty thousand

dollars ($360,000), which as Defendants stipulate, their undersigned counsel holds in escrow for no 

purpose other than payment to the Commission. Such payment must be made within 7 days of 

entry of this Order by electronic fund transfer in accordance with instructions previously provided 

by a representative of the Commission. Upon such payment, the remainder of the judgment is 

suspended, subject to the Subsections below.

C. The Commission’s agreement to the suspension of part of the judgment is expressly 

premised upon the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of Defendants’ sworn financial 

statements and related documents (collectively, “financial representations”) submitted to the 

Commission, namely:

1. the Financial Statement of the Individual Defendant signed on January 11, 

2016, including the attachments; and

2. the Financial Statement of the Corporate Defendant signed by Jonathan 

Gorfine, Chief Financial Officer, on January 5, 2016, including the attachments.

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D. The suspension of the judgment will be lifted as to any Defendant if, upon motion by 

the Commission, the Court finds that Defendant failed to disclose any material asset, materially 

misstated the value of any asset, or made any other material misstatement or omission in the 

financial representations identified above.

E. If the suspension of the judgment is lifted, the judgment becomes immediately due 

as to that Defendant in the amount specified in Subsection A above (which the parties stipulate only 

for purposes of this Section represents the unjust enrichment alleged in the Complaint), less any 

payment previously made pursuant to this Section plus interest computed from the date of entry of 

this Order.

F. Defendants relinquish dominion and all legal and equitable right, title, and interest 

in all assets transferred pursuant to this Order and may not seek the return of any assets.

G. The facts alleged in the Complaint will be taken as true, without further proof, in any 

subsequent civil litigation by or on behalf of the Commission, including in a proceeding to enforce 

its rights to any payment or monetary judgment pursuant to this Order, such as a 

nondischargeability complaint in any bankruptcy case.

H. The facts alleged in the Complaint establish all elements necessary to sustain an 

action by the Commission pursuant to Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. 

§ 523(a)(2)(A), and this Order will have collateral estoppel effect for such purposes.

I. Defendants acknowledge that their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (Social 

Security Numbers or Employer Identification Numbers), which Defendants previously submitted to 

the Commission, may be used for collecting and reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of 

this Order, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. §7701.

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J. All money paid to the Commission pursuant to this Order may be deposited into a 

fund administered by the Commission or its designee to be used for equitable relief, including 

consumer redress and any attendant expenses for the administration of any redress fund. If a 

representative of the Commission decides that direct redress to consumers is wholly or partially 

impracticable or money remains after redress is completed, the Commission may apply any 

remaining money for such other equitable relief (including consumer information remedies) as it 

determines to be reasonably related to Defendants’ practices alleged in the Complaint. Any 

money not used for such equitable relief is to be deposited to the U.S. Treasury as disgorgement. 

Defendants have no right to challenge any actions the Commission or its representatives may take 

pursuant to this Subsection.

VI. DISPOSAL OF COVERED INFORMATION

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, 

and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive 

actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with Third-Party

Lead Generation or advertising, marketing, or promoting employment opportunities, are 

permanently restrained and enjoined from directly or indirectly: 

A. Disclosing, using, or benefitting from Covered Information that Defendants

obtained prior to entry of this Order; and

B. Failing to destroy such Covered Information in all forms in their possession, 

custody, or control within 30 days after entry of this Order. 

Provided, however, that within 10 days of entry of this Order, Defendants may notify 

individual consumers for whom Defendants are providing any employment assistance-related 

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services that such services will cease unless the individual consumer consents to continuing such 

services. Section VI does not require the destruction of or prohibit Defendants from disclosing, 

using, or benefiting from Covered Information of consumers who, after receiving such notice, 

affirmatively provide unambiguous assent to Defendants within 30 days after entry of this Order to 

continuing Defendants’ employment assistance-related services.

Provided, further, that Covered Information need not be disposed of, and may be disclosed, 

(i) to the extent requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order; or 

(ii) if, at the time Defendants obtained the Covered Information, Defendants’ practices complied 

with Sections I-IV of this Order. 

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VII. NOTICE TO PURCHASERS OF COVERED INFORMATION

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 30 days of entry of this Order, Defendants must 

notify all entities that within 45 days prior to entry of this Order have purchased or received, or have 

entered into any contract or arrangement with Defendants to purchase or receive, Covered 

Information from Defendants by first-class mail, postage paid and return receipt requested or by 

courier service with signature proof of delivery, the notification letter attached hereto as 

Attachment A. The notification letter must be printed on Corporate Defendant’s letterhead and 

Defendants must include with the notification letter a copy of this Order and the Complaint, but no 

other document or enclosure.

Provided, however, that Section VII does not require Defendants to notify entities that have 

purchased or received, or have entered into any contract or arrangement with Defendants to 

purchase or receive, Covered Information from Defendants if, at the time Defendants obtained the 

Covered Information, Defendants’ practices complied with Sections I-IV of this Order. 

VIII. ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants obtain acknowledgments of receipt of this 

Order:

A. Each Defendant, within 7 days of entry of this Order, must submit to the 

Commission an acknowledgment of receipt of this Order sworn under penalty of perjury.

B. For 5 years after entry of this Order, each Individual Defendant for any business that

such Defendant, individually or collectively with any other Defendants, is the majority owner or 

controls directly or indirectly, and each Corporate Defendant, must deliver a copy of this Order to: 

(1) all principals, officers, directors, and LLC managers and members; (2) all employees, agents, 

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and representatives who participate in Third-Party Lead Generation or the advertising, marketing, 

or promoting of employment opportunities; and (3) any business entity resulting from any change 

in structure as set forth in the Section titled Compliance Reporting. Delivery must occur within 7 

days of entry of this Order for current personnel. For all others, delivery must occur before they 

assume their responsibilities.

C. From each individual or entity to which a Defendant delivered a copy of this Order, 

that Defendant must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of this 

Order.

IX. COMPLIANCE REPORTING

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants make timely submissions to the Commission:

A. One year after entry of this Order, each Defendant must submit a compliance report, 

sworn under penalty of perjury:

1. Each Defendant must: (a) identify the primary physical, postal, and email 

address and telephone number, as designated points of contact, which representatives of the 

Commission may use to communicate with Defendant; (b) identify all of that Defendant’s 

businesses by all of their names, telephone numbers, and physical, postal, email, and 

Internet addresses; (c) describe the activities of each business, including the goods and 

services offered, the means of advertising, marketing, and sales, and the involvement of any 

other Defendant (which Individual Defendants must describe if they know or should know 

due to their own involvement); (d) describe in detail whether and how that Defendant is in 

compliance with each Section of this Order; and (e) provide a copy of each Order 

Acknowledgment obtained pursuant to this Order, unless previously submitted to the 

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Commission.

2. Additionally, each Individual Defendant must: (a) identify all telephone 

numbers and all physical, postal, email and Internet addresses, including all residences; (b) 

identify all business activities, including any business for which such Defendant performs 

services whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which such Defendant has 

any ownership interest; and (c) describe in detail such Defendant’s involvement in each 

such business, including title, role, responsibilities, participation, authority, control, and any 

ownership.

B. For 15 years after entry of this Order, each Defendant must submit a compliance 

notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days of any change in the following:

1. Each Defendant must report any change in: (a) any designated point of 

contact; or (b) the structure of any Corporate Defendant or any entity that Defendant has any 

ownership interest in or controls directly or indirectly that may affect compliance 

obligations arising under this Order, including: creation, merger, sale, or dissolution of the

entity or any subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to 

this Order.

2. Additionally, each Individual Defendant must report any change in: (a) 

name, including aliases or fictitious name, or residence address; or (b) title or role in any 

business activity, including any business for which such Defendant performs services 

whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which such Defendant has any 

ownership interest, and identify the name, physical address, and any Internet address of the 

business or entity.

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C. Each Defendant must submit to the Commission notice of the filing of any 

bankruptcy petition, insolvency proceeding, or similar proceeding by or against such Defendant 

within 14 days of its filing.

D. Any submission to the Commission required by this Order to be sworn under 

penalty of perjury must be true and accurate and comply with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, such as by 

concluding: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America 

that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on: _____” and supplying the date, signatory’s 

full name, title (if applicable), and signature.

E. Unless otherwise directed by a Commission representative in writing, all 

submissions to the Commission pursuant to this Order must be emailed to DEbrief@ftc.gov or sent 

by overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service) to: Associate Director for Enforcement, Bureau 

of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, 

DC 20580. The subject line must begin: FTC v. Expand, Inc.

X. RECORDKEEPING

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants must create certain records for 15 years after 

entry of the Order, and retain each such record for 5 years. Specifically, Corporate Defendant and 

each Individual Defendant for any business that such Defendant, individually or collectively with 

any other Defendants, is a majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, must create and retain 

the following records:

A. Accounting records showing the revenues from all products or services sold;

B. Personnel records showing, for each person providing services, whether as an 

employee or otherwise, that person’s: name; addresses; telephone numbers; job title or position; 

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dates of service; and (if applicable) the reason for termination;

C. Records of all consumer complaints and refund requests, whether received directly 

or indirectly, such as through a third party, and any response;

D. All records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision of this 

Order, including all submissions to the Commission; and

E. A copy of each unique advertisement or other marketing material published or 

disseminated by Defendants.

XI. COMPLIANCE MONITORING

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of monitoring Defendants’ compliance 

with this Order and any failure to transfer any assets as required by this Order:

A. Within 14 days of receipt of a written request from a representative of the 

Commission, each Defendant must: submit additional compliance reports or other requested 

information, which must be sworn under penalty of perjury; appear for depositions; and produce 

documents for inspection and copying. The Commission is also authorized to obtain discovery, 

without further leave of court, using any of the procedures prescribed by Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure 29, 30 (including telephonic depositions), 31, 33, 34, 36, 45, and 69.

B. For matters concerning this Order, the Commission is authorized to communicate 

directly with each Defendant. Defendant must permit representatives of the Commission to 

interview any employee or other person affiliated with any Defendant who has agreed to such an 

interview. The person interviewed may have counsel present.

C. The Commission may use all other lawful means, including posing, through its 

representatives as consumers, suppliers, or other individuals or entities, to Defendants or any 

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individual or entity affiliated with Defendants, without the necessity of identification or prior 

notice. Nothing in this Order limits the Commission’s lawful use of compulsory process, pursuant 

to Sections 9 and 20 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49, 57b-1.

D. Upon written request from a representative of the Commission, any consumer 

reporting agency must furnish consumer reports concerning Individual Defendants, pursuant to 

Section 604(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681b(a)(1).

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ATTACHMENT A

[Insert date]

Dear Expand Customer,

This letter is to inform you that Expand, Inc. (also d/b/a Gigats, also d/b/a Education

Match, also d/b/a SoftRock, Inc.) recently settled a dispute with the Federal Trade Commission 

regarding Expand’s lead generation business. The FTC complaint alleged that we violated

Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(a), in connection with generating consumer leads 

for sale to educational and other institutions.

The settlement permits us to continue generating and selling leads as long as we do so in 

a manner which does not deceive consumers. The settlement also requires us to request that lead 

partners like you that purchased or received consumer information from us stop using, sharing, 

or transferring consumer information received from us between [date] and [date] where you 

have yet to communicate with the consumer. We are further required to request that partners

destroy any such information that is in their possession, custody, or control.

We have attached a copy of our settlement order with the Federal Trade Commission, as 

well as a copy of the complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission.

Sincerely Yours,

[Insert Signature Block]

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