In addition, both settlements contain various recordkeeping requirements to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants' compliance. The Commission vote to authorize the Department of Justice to file the proposed settlements was 4-0. The consent judgments were filed by DOJ at the request of the FTC, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in Miami. The judge signed the settlements on August 24, 1998. These consent 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.