2223163 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

BEFORE THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

COMMISSIONERS: Lina M. Khan, Chair 

Rebecca Kelly Slaughter 

Alvaro M. Bedoya 

In the Matter of 

CHAUCER ACCESSORIES, INC., a 

corporation, also d/b/a CHAUCER 

LEATHER CORP.; 

BATES ACCESSORIES, INC., a corporation, 

also d/b/a THOMAS BATES, TB PHELPS, 

DAVID SPENCER SHOES, and CUSTOM 

BRAND FOOTWEAR; 

BATES RETAIL GROUP, INC., a corporation; 

and 

THOMAS P. BATES, individually and as an 

officer ofCHAUCER ACCESSORIES, INC; 

BATES ACCESSORJES, INC.; and BATES 

RETAIL GROUP, INC. 

DECISION AND ORDER 

DOCKET NO. C-4797 

DECISION 

The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission") initiated an investigation of certain acts 

and practices of the Respondents named in the caption. The Commission's Bureau of Consumer 

Protection ("BCP") prepared and furnished to Respondents a draft Complaint. BCP proposed to 

present the draft Complaint to the Commission for its consideration. If issued by the 

Commission, the draft Complaint would charge the Respondents with violations of the Federal 

Trade Commission Act. 

Respondents and BCP thereafter executed an Agreement Containing Consent Order 

("Consent Agreement"). The Consent Agreement includes: I) statements by Respondents that 

they neither admit nor deny any ofthe allegations in the Complaint, except as specifically stated 

in this Decision and Order, and that only for purposes ofthis action, they admit the facts 

necessary to establish jurisdiction; and 2) waivers and other provisions as required by the 

Commission's Rules. 

I of 12 
The Commission considered the matter and determined that it had reason to believe that 

Respondents have violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, and that a Complaint should 

issue stating its charges in that respect. The Commission accepted the executed Consent 

Agreement and placed it on the public record for a period of 30 days for the receipt and 

consideration of public comments. The Commission duly considered any comments received 

from interested persons pursuant to Section 2.34 of its Rules, 16 C.F .R. § 2.34. Now, in further 

conformity with the procedure prescribed in Rule 2.34, the Commission issues its Complaint, 

makes the following Findings, and issues the following Order: 

Findings 

I. The Respondents are: 

a. Respondent Chaucer Accessories, Inc. ("Chaucer"), also doing business as 

Chaucer Leather Corp., a Massachusetts corporation with its principal office or 

place of business at 143 Essex St., Haverhill, Massachusetts 01832. 

b. Proposed Respondent Bates Accessories, Inc. ("Bates Accessories"), also doing 

business as Thomas Bates, TB Phelps, David Spencer Shoes, and Custom Brand 

Footwear, a Delaware corporation with its principal office or place of business at 

370 Portsmouth Ave.,# 211, Greenland, New Hampshire 03840. 

c. Respondent Bates Retail Group, Inc. ("Bates Retail Group"), a New Hampshire 

corporation with its principal office or place of business at 36 Piscataqua St., P.O. 

Box 243, New Castle, New Hampshire 03854. 

d. Respondent Thomas P. Bates ("Bates"), the president and owner of Chaucer 

Accessories, Bates Accessories, and Bates Retail Group. Individually or in 

concert with others, he formulates, directs, or controls the policies, acts, or 

practices of Chaucer, Bates Accessories, and Bates Retail Group, including the 

acts and practices alleged in this complaint. His principal office or place of 

business is the same as that of Bates Accessories. 

2. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this proceeding and over the 

Respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest. 

ORDER 

Definitions 

For purposes 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: 

2 of 12 
I. 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 made through both visual and audible means, such as a 

television advertisement, the disclosure must be presented simultaneously in both 

the visual and audible portions ofthe communication even if the representation 

requiring the disclosure ("triggering representation") is made through only one 

means. 

2. A visual disclosure, by its size, contrast, location, the length oftime 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. 

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. On a product label, the disclosure must be presented on the principal display 

panel. 

6. The disclosure must use diction and syntax understandable to ordinary consumers 

and must appear in each language in which the triggering representation appears. 

7. The disclosure must comply with these requirements in each medium through 

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

communications. 

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

anything else in the communication. 

9. 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. "Made in the United States" means any representation, express or implied, that a 

product or service, or a specified component thereof, is of U .S.-origin, including, but not 

limited to, a representation that such product or service is "made," "manufactured," 

"built," "produced," or "crafted" in the United States or in America, or any other U.S.­

origin claim. 

C. "Product or Service" means any good or service, including any plan or program. 

D. "Respondents" means all of the Corporate Respondents and the Individual Respondent, 

individually, collectively, or in any combination. 

3 of 12 
I. "Corporate Respondents" means Chaucer Accessories, Inc., also doing business 

as Chaucer Leather Corp.; Bates Accessories, Inc., also doing business as Thomas 

Bates, TB Phelps, David Spencer Shoes, and Custom Brand Footwear; Bates 

Retail Group, Inc.; and their successors and assigns. 

2. "Individual Respondent" means Thomas P. Bates. 

Provisions 

I. 

Prohibited Misrepresentations Regarding U.S.-Origin Claims 

IT IS ORDERED that Respondents, and Respondents' 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 the 

manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any 

Product or Service, must not make any representation, expressly or by implication, that a product 

is Made in the United States unless: 

A. The final assembly or processing of the product occurs in the United States, all 

significant processing that goes into the product occurs in the United States, and all or 

virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the United 

States; or 

B. A Clear and Conspicuous qualification appears immediately adjacent to the 

representation that accurately conveys the extent to which the product contains foreign 

parts, ingredients or components, and/or processing; or 

C. For a claim that a product is assembled in the United States, the product is last 

substantially transformed in the United States, the product's principal assembly takes 

place in the United States, and United States assembly operations are substantial. 

II. 

Prohibited Misleading and Unsubstantiated Representations 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents, and Respondents' 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 the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of 

any Product or Service, must not make any representation regarding the country of origin of any 

Product or Service, unless the representation is non-misleading, including that, at the time such 

representation is made, Respondents possess and rely upon a reasonable basis for the 

representation. 

4 of 12 
III. 

Means and Instrumentalities 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents, and Respondents' 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 the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of 

any Product or Service, must not provide to others the means and instrumentalities with which to 

make any representation prohibited by Provision I or II above. For purposes ofthis Provision, 

"means and instrumentalities" means any information, including, but not necessarily limited to, 

any advertising, labeling, promotional, sales training, or purported substantiation materials, for 

use by trade customers in the marketing of any Product or Service. 

IV. 

Monetary Relief 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: 

A. Respondents must pay to the Commission $191,481, which Respondents stipulate their 

undersigned counsel holds in escrow for no purpose other than payment to the 

Commission. 

B. Such payment must be made within 8 days ofthe effective date ofthis Order by 

electronic fund transfer in accordance with instructions provided by a representative of 

the Commission. 

v. 

Additional Monetary Provisions 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: 

A. Respondents 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. 

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

subsequent civil litigation by or on behalf ofthe Commission to enforce its rights to any 

payment pursuant to this Order, such as a nondischargeability complaint in any 

bankruptcy case. 

C. The facts alleged in the Complaint establish all elements necessary to sustain an action by 

or on behalf ofthe 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. 

D. 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 relief, including consumer 

5 of 12 
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 relief (including consumer information 

remedies) as it determines to be reasonably related to Respondents' practices alleged in 

the Complaint. Any money not used is to be deposited to the U.S. Treasury. 

Respondents have no right to challenge any activities pursuant to this Provision. 

E. In the event of default on any obligation to make payment under this Order, interest, 

computed as if pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1961 (a), shall accrue from the date of default to 

the date of payment. In the event such default continues for IO days beyond the date that 

payment is due, the entire amount will immediately become due and payable. 

F. Each day of nonpayment is a violation through continuing failure to obey or neglect to 

obey a final order ofthe Commission and thus will be deemed a separate offense and 

violation for which a civil penalty shall accrue. 

G. Respondents acknowledge that their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (Social Security or 

Employer Identification Numbers), which Respondents must submit 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. 

VI. 

Customer Information 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents must directly or indirectly provide 

sufficient customer information, including sufficient identification of all resellers, to enable the 

Commission to efficiently administer consumer redress to purchasers of imported products 

labeled, advertised, or sold as Made in the United States between January I, 2018 and November 

30, 2022. If a representative ofthe Commission requests in writing any information related to 

redress, Respondents must provide it, in the form prescribed by the Commission representative, 

within 14 days. 

VII. 

Notice to Customers 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents must notify customers as follows: 

A. Respondents must identify all customers, including individual consumers, resellers, and 

third-party trade customers, who purchased any imported product labeled, advertised, or 

sold as Made in the United States on or after January I, 2018 ("Affected Customers"). 

I. Such Affected Customers, and their contact information, must be identified to the 

extent such information is in Respondents' possession, custody or control; 

2. Affected Customers include those identified at any time including after 

6 of 12 
Respondents' execution ofthe Consent Agreement through the eligibility period, 

which runs for I year after the issuance date ofthe Order. 

B. Respondents must notify all identified Affected Customers by mailing or emailing each a 

notice in the form shown in Attachment A. The communication containing the notice 

may contain a copy ofthis Order, but no other document or enclosure. 

C. Respondents must notify all Affected Customers within 30 days after the issuance date of 

this Order and any eligible customers identified thereafter within 30 days oftheir 

identification. 

D. Respondents must report on their notification program under penalty of perjury: 

I. Respondents must submit a report within 60 days of issuance ofthis Order and at 

the conclusion ofthe program summarizing their compliance to date. 

2. If a representative ofthe Commission requests any information regarding the 

program, including any ofthe underlying customer data, Respondents must 

submit it within JO days ofthe request. 

E. Failure to provide required notices or any requested information will be treated as a 

continuing failure to obey this Order. 

VIII. 

Acknowledgments of the Order 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents obtain acknowledgments of receipt of 

this Order: 

A. Each Respondent, within IO days after the effective date ofthis Order, must submit to the 

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

B. Individual Respondent, for any business that such Respondent, individually or 

collectively with any other Respondents, is the majority owner or controls directly or 

indirectly, and each Corporate Respondent, must deliver a copy ofthis Order to: (I) all 

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

managerial responsibilities for conduct related to the subject matter ofthe Order and all 

agents and representatives who participate in conduct related to the subject matter ofthe 

Order; and (3) any business entity resulting from any change in structure as set forth in 

the Provision titled Compliance Reports and Notices. Delivery must occur within I 0 

days after the effective date ofthis Order for current personnel. For all others, delivery 

must occur before they assume their responsibilities. 

C. From each individual or entity to which a Respondent delivered a copy ofthis Order, that 

Respondent must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt 

ofthis Order. 

7 of 12 
IX. 

Compliance Reports and Notices 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents make timely submissions to the 

Commission: 

A. One year after the issuance date of this Order, each Respondent must submit a 

compliance report, sworn under penalty of perjury, in which: 

I. Each Respondent 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 Respondent; 

(b) identify all of that Respondent's businesses by all oftheir 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 Respondent 

(which Individual Respondent must describe if he knows or should know due to 

his own involvement); (d) describe in detail whether and how that Respondent is 

in compliance with each Provision of this Order, including a discussion of all of 

the changes the Respondent made to comply with the Order; and ( e) provide a 

copy of each Acknowledgment of the Order obtained pursuant to this Order, 

unless previously submitted to the Commission. 

2. Additionally, Individual Respondent must: (a) identify all his telephone numbers 

and all his physical, postal, email and Internet addresses, including all residences; 

(b) identify all his business activities, including any business for which such 

Respondent performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and any 

entity in which such Respondent has any ownership interest; and (c) describe in 

detail such Respondent's involvement in each such business activity, including 

title, role, responsibilities, participation, authority, control, and any ownership. 

B. Each Respondent must submit a compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, 

within 14 days of any change in the following: 

I. Each Respondent must submit notice of any change in: (a) any designated point 

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

Respondent 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, Individual Respondent must submit notice of any change in: 

(a) name, including alias or fictitious name, or residence address; or (b) title or 

role in any business activity, including (i) any business for which such 

Respondent performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and (ii) any 

entity in which such Respondent has any ownership interest and over which 

8 of 12 
Respondent has direct or indirect control. For each such business activity, also 

identify its name, physical address, and any Internet address. 

C. Each Respondent must submit notice ofthe filing of any bankruptcy petition, insolvency 

proceeding, or similar proceeding by or against such Respondent 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 ofperjury under the laws ofthe 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 ofConsumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue 

NW, Washington, DC 20580. The subject line must begin: In re Chaucer Accessories, 

Inc., et al. 

X. 

Record keeping 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents must create certain records and retain 

each such record for 5 years, unless otherwise specified below. Specifically, each Corporate 

Respondent and Individual Respondent, for any business that such Respondent, individually or 

collectively with any other Respondents, is a majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, 

must create and retain the following records: 

A. Accounting records showing the revenues from all goods or services sold, the costs 

incurred in generating those revenues, and resulting net profit or loss; 

B. Personnel records showing, for each person providing services in relation to any aspect of 

the Order, whether as an employee or otherwise, that person's: name; addresses; 

telephone numbers; job title or position; dates of service; and (if applicable) the reason 

for termination; 

D. A copy of each unique advertisement or other marketing material making a representation 

subject to this Order; 

E. For 5 years from the date ofthe last dissemination of any representation covered by this 

Order, all materials that were relied upon in making the representation; and 

F. Copies or records of all consumer complaints and refund requests concerning the subject 

matter ofthis Order, whether received directly or indirectly, such as through a third party, 

and any response; and 

9 of 12 
G. All records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision ofthis Order, 

including all submissions to the Commission. 

XI. 

Compliance Monitoring 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose ofmonitoring Respondents' 

compliance with this Order: 

A. Within IO days of receipt of a written request from a representative ofthe Commission, 

each Respondent must: submit additional compliance reports or other requested 

information, which must be sworn under penalty of perjury, and produce records for 

inspection and copying. 

B. For matters concerning this Order, representatives ofthe Commission are authorized to 

communicate directly with each Respondent. Respondents must permit representatives 

of the Commission to interview anyone affiliated with any Respondent who has agreed to 

such an interview. The interviewee 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 Respondents or 

any individual or entity affiliated with Respondents, 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 ofthe FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49, 

57b-l. 

D. Upon written request from a representative ofthe Commission, any consumer reporting 

agency must furnish consumer reports concerning the Individual Respondent, pursuant to 

Section 604(2) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(a)(2). 

XII. 

Order Effective Dates 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order is final and effective upon the date of its 

publication on the Commission's website (fie.gov) as a final order. This Order will terminate 20 

years from the date of its issuance (which date may be stated at the end ofthis Order, near the 

Commission's seal), or 20 years from the most recent date that the United States or the 

Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying settlement) in federal court 

alleging any violation ofthis Order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of 

such a complaint will not affect the duration of: 

A. Any Provision in this Order that terminates in less than 20 years; 

B. This Order's application to any Respondent that is not named as a defendant in such 

10 of 12 
complaint; and 

C.a This Order if such complaint is filed after the Order has terminated pursuant to thisa

Provision.a

Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that thea

Respondent did not violate any provision of the Order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not 

appealed or upheld on appeal, then the Order will terminate according to this Provision as though 

the complaint had never been filed, except that the Order will not terminate between the date 

such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the 

date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal. 

By the Commission. 

April J. Tabor 

Secretary 

SEAL: 

ISSUED: August 22, 2023

11 of 12