Finally, the settlement contains various reporting and recordkeeping requirements to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants' compliance. The FTC's Dallas Regional Office handled this investigation. The Commission vote to authorize filing of the consent decree was 4-1, with Commissioner Mary L. Azcuenaga dissenting. The judge approved the consent decree on Sept. 19. A consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute admissions by the defendants of law violations.
Consent decrees have the force of law when signed by the judge.