Finally, the proposed settlements contain various recordkeeping and reporting requirements designed to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants' compliance. The Commission vote to file the three settlements was 5-0, with Commissioner Orson Swindle concurring in part and dissenting in part. He dissented to a provision in the settlement that would ban the defendants from soliciting charitable donations. These settlements conclude an investigation conducted with the cooperation of the United States Attorney's Office in Minnesota, the United States Postal Service in Minnesota, the St. Paul Police Department, the Texas and Minnesota Attorneys General's office, the Texas Department of Public Service, and the Houston Better Business Bureau. These stipulated final judgments are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation.
Consent judgments have the force of law when signed by the judge.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide. Civil Action No.