The stipulated judgment and order for permanent injunction resolved the FTC's charges that the defendants violated the Franchise Rule and the FTC Act in the offering and selling of their medical billing franchises. The settlement prohibits Duvall and Infinity from, among other things, making material misrepresentations in connection with the offer and sale of business ventures, including misrepresentations about the potential income an investor is likely to achieve or that others have achieved, or the availability or existence of profitable locations. The Commission vote to authorize staff to refer the proposed settlement to the Department of Justice for filing was 5-0. The modified order was entered by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, in Los Angeles, on January 23, 2001. It is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation.
Stipulated judgments have the force of law when signed by the judge.