The complaint also alleged that the defendants falsely made various representations about the existence, contents, purpose, results and conclusions of purported scientific testing of their products in violation of the FTC's 1992 order. Finally, the pro- posed settlement includes various reporting provisions designed to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants' compliance with the terms of the settlement. The Commission vote to authorizing filing of the complaint and consent decree was 3-0, with Commissioner Christine A. Varney not participating. The complaint and consent decree were filed by the Department of Justice, on behalf of the FTC, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, in Tacoma, on Jan. 19. This consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation.
Consent decrees have the force of law when signed by the judge.
Copies of the complaint and proposed consent decree will be available shortly.