They also provide that a counterclaim filed by the defendants in the Commission's action will automatically be dismissed. The Commission vote to authorize the staff to file the consent orders for permanent injunction and monetary relief was 5-0. Each order is subject to final approval by the court. They were entered by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on March 6, 2000. This consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation.
Consent decrees have the force of law when signed by the judge.