Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 1 of 24
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 1 of 24
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
Federal Trade Commission,
Plaintiff,
Case No. CV 12-2248-PHX-FJM
v.
Ambrosia Web Design LLC, an Arizona
limited liability company, also d/b/a AWD;
Concord Financial Advisors LLC, an
Arizona limited liability company;
STIPULATED FINAL ORDER FOR
CAM Services Direct LLC, an Arizona
PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND
limited liability company; AFB LLC, an
Arizona limited liability company; Western MONETARY JUDGMENT
GPS LLC, an Arizona limited liability
company; Chris Ambrosia, individually and
as a manager of Ambrosia Web Design
LLC, AFB LLC, and CAM Services Direct
LLC; and LeRoy Castine, a/k/a Lee
Castine, individually and as a manager of
Ambrosia Web Design LLC, Concord
Financial Advisors LLC, AFB LLC, and
Western GPS LLC;
Defendants.
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Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission (Commission) filed its Complaint for
Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief and subsequently filed its Amended
Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief (Amended Complaint),
for a permanent injunction and other equitable relief in this matter, under Sections 13(b)
and 19 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), 15 U.S.C. §§ 53(b) and 57b,
and the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act (Telemarketing
Act), 15 U.S.C. §§ 6101-6108. The Commission and Defendants stipulate to the entry of
this Stipulated Final Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment (Order) by
this Court to resolve all matters in dispute in this action between them.
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows:
FINDINGS
1.
This Court has jurisdiction over this matter.
2.
The Amended Complaint charges that Defendants participated in deceptive
and unfair acts and practices in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C.
§ 45(a), and in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), 16 C.F.R. Part 310, in
telemarketing credit card interest rate reduction services.
3.
Defendants neither admit nor deny any of the allegations in the Amended
Complaint, except as specifically stated in this Order. Only for purposes of this action,
Defendants admit the facts necessary to establish jurisdiction.
4.
Defendants waive any claim that they may have under the Equal Access to
Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412, concerning the prosecution of this action through the date
of this Order, and agree to bear their own costs and attorney fees. Defendants waive and
release any claims that they may have against the Commission and Receiver Thomas
McNamara and their agents that relate to this action.
5.
Defendants and the Commission waive all rights to appeal or otherwise
challenge or contest the validity of this Order.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Order, the following definitions shall apply:
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1.
“ACH debit” means any completed or attempted debit to a person’s
account at a financial institution that is processed electronically through the Automated
Clearing House Network.
2.
“Card-Not-Present transaction” means a credit, debit, prepaid, or stored
value card sales transaction in which the cardholder does not swipe or otherwise
physically present a credit, debit, prepaid, or stored value card as payment for goods or
services. Examples of card-not-present transactions include but are not limited to
telephone, online, or other electronic commerce sales.
3.
“Corporate Defendants” means Ambrosia Web Design LLC, d/b/a AWD;
AFB LLC; CAM Services Direct LLC; Concord Financial Advisors LLC; and Western
GPS LLC; and their successors and assigns.
4.
“Credit repair service” means any service, in return for payment of
money or other consideration, for the express or implied purpose of:
A.
improving any consumer’s credit record, credit history, or credit
B.
providing advice or assistance to any consumer with regard to any
rating; or
activity or service the purpose of which is to improve a consumer’s credit record, credit
history, or credit rating.
5.
“Debt relief product or service” means any product, service, plan, or
program represented, directly or by implication, to renegotiate, settle, or in any way alter
the terms of payment or other terms of the debt between a person and one or more
unsecured creditors or debt collectors, such as a reduction in the balance, interest rate, or
fees owed by a person to an unsecured creditor or debt collector.
6.
“Defendants” means all of the Individual Defendants and the Corporate
Defendants, individually, collectively, or in any combination.
7.
“Financial related product or service” means any product or service
represented, directly or by implication, to:
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A.
provide any consumer, arrange for any consumer to receive, or assist
any consumer in receiving, credit, debit, or stored value cards;
B.
improve, or arrange to improve, any consumer’s credit record, credit
history, or credit rating;
C.
provide advice or assistance to any consumer with regard to any
activity or service the purpose of which is to improve a consumer’s credit record, credit
history, or credit rating;
D.
provide any consumer, arrange for any consumer to receive, or assist
any consumer in receiving, a loan or other extension of credit; or
E.
provide any consumer, arrange for any consumer to receive, or assist
any consumer in receiving any service represented, expressly or by implication, to
renegotiate, settle, or in any way alter the terms of payment or other terms of the debt
between a consumer and one or more secured creditors, servicers, or debt collectors.
8.
“Individual Defendants” means LeRoy Castine, a/k/a Lee Castine, and
Chris Ambrosia.
9.
“Merchant” means a person who is authorized under a written contract
with an acquirer to honor or accept credit cards, or to transmit or process for payment
credit card payments, for the purchase of goods or services or a charitable contribution.
10.
“Outbound telemarketing call” means a telephone call initiated by a
telemarketer to induce the purchase of goods or services or to solicit a charitable
contribution.
11.
“Payment Processing” means providing a Person, directly or indirectly,
with the means used to charge or debit accounts through the use of any payment
mechanism, including, but not limited to, Remotely Created Payment Orders, Remotely
Created Checks, ACH Debits, or debit, credit, prepaid, or stored value cards. Whether
accomplished through the use of software or otherwise, Payment Processing includes,
among other things: (a) reviewing and approving merchant applications for payment
processing services; (b) providing the means to transmit sales transaction data from
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merchants to acquiring banks or other financial institutions; (c) clearing, settling, or
distributing proceeds of sales transactions from acquiring banks or financial institutions
to merchants; or (d) processing chargebacks or returned Remotely Created Payment
Orders, Remotely Created Checks, or ACH Debits.
12.
“Person” means any natural person or any entity, corporation, partnership,
or association of persons.
13.
“Receivership Defendants” means Ambrosia Web Design LLC, d/b/a
AWD; AFB LLC; CAM Services Direct LLC; Concord Financial Advisors LLC;
Western GPS LLC; and MAX Direct LLC.
14.
“Remotely created check” means a check that is not created by the paying
bank and that does not bear a signature applied, or purported to be applied, by the person
on whose financial account the check is drawn. A remotely created check is often
referred to as a “demand draft,” “bank draft,” “bank check,” or “pre-authorized draft.” A
remotely created check originates as a paper-based transaction, but can be processed
subsequently through electronic means (such as through check imaging or scanning) or
through non-electronic means.
15.
“Remotely created payment order” means a payment instruction or order
drawn on a person’s financial account that is initiated or created by the payee and that
does not bear a signature applied, or purported to be applied, by the person on whose
financial account the order is drawn, and which is deposited into or cleared through the
check clearing system. A remotely created payment order originates as a non-paperbased transaction created when a seller, merchant, payment processor, or other entity
enters financial account and routing numbers into an electronic check template that is
converted into an electronic file for deposit into the check clearing system.
16.
“Telemarketer” means any person who, in connection with telemarketing,
initiates or receives telephone calls to or from a customer or donor.
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17.
“Telemarketing” means a plan, program, or campaign which is conducted
to induce the purchase of goods or services, or a charitable contribution, by use of one or
more telephones and which involves more than one interstate telephone call.
ORDER
I.
BAN ON ROBOCALLING
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Defendants are permanently restrained
and enjoined from initiating, or causing others to initiate, any telephone call that delivers
a prerecorded message, whether acting directly or through an intermediary.
II.
BAN ON OUTBOUND TELEMARKETING CALLS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are permanently restrained and
enjoined from initiating, or causing others to initiate, any outbound telemarketing call,
whether acting directly or through an intermediary; provided, however, that this Section
shall not prohibit the Individual Defendants from initiating telephone calls:
A.
in which the sale of goods or services or charitable solicitation is not
completed, and payment or authorization of payment is not required, until after a face-toface sales or donation presentation by the seller or charitable organization; and
B.
to a business for the purpose of inducing or inquiring about the purchase of
goods or services by the business or a charitable contribution by the business; provided,
however, that Individual Defendants shall not initiate, or cause others to initiate, such calls
for the purpose of inducing the retail sale of nondurable office or cleaning supplies.
III.
BAN ON CERTAIN PAYMENT PROCESSING ACTIVITIES AND
PAYMENT METHODS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are permanently restrained and
enjoined from:
A.
Payment Processing, whether directly or through an intermediary, in
connection with ACH Debits, Remotely Created Checks, Remotely Created Payment
Orders, or Card-Not-Present transactions; or
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B.
accepting, directly or indirectly, ACH Debits, Remotely Created Checks,
Remotely Created Payment Orders, or Card-Not-Present transactions as payment for
goods or services.
IV.
BAN ON DEBT RELIEF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are permanently restrained and
enjoined from advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale, or assisting in the
advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale of, any debt relief product
or service.
V.
BAN ON CREDIT REPAIR
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are permanently restrained and
enjoined from advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale, or assisting in the
advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale of, any credit repair service.
VI.
PROHIBITION OF PRACTICES RELATING TO FINANCIAL RELATED
PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents,
servants, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation
with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or
indirectly, in connection with advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale any
financial related product or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from
misrepresenting or assisting others in misrepresenting, expressly or by implication:
A.
the terms or rates that are available for any loan or other extension of credit,
including, but not limited to:
1.
closing costs or other fees;
2.
the payment schedule, the monthly payment amount(s), or other
payment terms, or whether there is a balloon payment; interest rate(s), annual percentage
rate(s), or finance charge(s); the loan amount, the amount of credit, the draw amount, or
outstanding balance; the loan term, the draw period, or maturity; or any other term of
credit;
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3.
the savings associated with the credit;
4.
the amount of cash to be disbursed to the borrower out of the
proceeds, or the amount of cash to be disbursed on behalf of the borrower to any third
party;
5.
whether the payment of the minimum amount specified each month
covers both interest and principal, and whether the credit has or can result in negative
amortization;
6.
that the credit does not have a prepayment penalty or that no
prepayment penalty and/or other fees or costs will be incurred if the consumer
subsequently refinances; or
7.
that the interest rate(s) or annual percentage rate(s) are fixed rather
than adjustable or adjustable rather than fixed;
B.
any aspect of any mortgage loan modification service or foreclosure relief
service, including, but not limited to, the amount of savings or reduction in interest rate,
loan principal, or monthly payment that a consumer will receive from purchasing, using,
or enrolling in such mortgage loan modification service or foreclosure relief service; the
amount of time before a consumer will receive a mortgage loan modification or relief
from foreclosure; the likelihood that a consumer will obtain a modified mortgage loan or
relief from foreclosure; or the reduction or cessation of collection calls;
C.
that a consumer will receive legal representation; or
D.
any other fact material to consumers concerning a financial related product
or service.
VII.
PROHIBITIONS REGARDING TELEMARKETING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, their members, officers, agents,
servants, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation
with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order by personal service, facsimile
transmission, email, or otherwise, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection
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with the telemarketing of goods and services, are permanently restrained and enjoined
from:
A.
failing to disclose to consumers that Defendants have a policy of not
making refunds or allowing cancellations, if this is Defendants’ policy;
B.
requesting or receiving payment of any fee or consideration in advance of
obtaining a loan or other extension of credit, when Defendants have guaranteed or
represented a high likelihood of success in obtaining or arranging a loan or other
extension of credit for a consumer;
C.
causing billing information to be submitted for payment without the express
informed consent of the consumer; and
D.
engaging in, or causing a telemarketer to engage in, initiating an outbound
telemarketing call to a person’s telephone number that is on the National Do Not Call
Registry, unless the Defendants have:
1.
obtained an express agreement, in writing, from such person, that
clearly evidences the person’s authorization that calls made by or on behalf of
Defendants may be placed to that person, and that includes the telephone number to
which the calls may be placed and the signature of the person; or
2.
an established business relationship with such person, and that
person has not stated that he or she does not wish to receive outbound telephone calls
made by or on behalf of Defendants.
VIII. PROHIBITION OF PRACTICES RELATING TO ANY PRODUCTS OR
SERVICES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents,
servants, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation
with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or
indirectly, in connection with advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale any
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product or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from misrepresenting or
assisting others in misrepresenting, expressly or by implication:
A.
any material aspect of the nature or terms of any refund, cancellation,
exchange, or repurchase policy, including, but not limited to, the likelihood of a
consumer obtaining a full or partial refund, or the circumstances in which a full or partial
refund will be granted to the consumer;
B.
that any person is affiliated with, endorsed or approved by, or otherwise
connected to any other person, government entity, or public, non-profit, or other noncommercial program, or any other program;
C.
the total costs to purchase, receive, or use, or the quantity of, the product or
service;
D.
any material restriction, limitation, or condition on purchasing, receiving,
or using the product or service; or
E.
any other fact material to consumers concerning any product or service,
such as: any material aspect of its performance, efficacy, nature, or central
characteristics.
IX.
REQUIRED SUBSTANTIATION FOR BENEFIT, PERFORMANCE, AND
EFFICACY CLAIMS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents,
servants, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation
with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or
indirectly, in connection with advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale, of
any product or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from making or assisting
others in making any representation, expressly or by implication, about the benefits,
performance, or efficacy of the product or service, unless the representation is nonmisleading, and, at the time the representation is made, Defendants possess and rely upon
competent and reliable evidence to substantiate that the representation is true.
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X.
MONETARY JUDGMENT
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A.
Judgment in the amount of EIGHT MILLION THREE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($8,300,000) is entered in favor of the Commission against
Defendants, jointly and severally, as equitable monetary relief.
B.
Defendant LeRoy Castine is ordered to immediately sell his Bulgari watch
(Model TI 44 TA #L3831) for not less than fair market value, or for an amount approved
by counsel for Plaintiff, to a third-party buyer. Within 3 business days of receipt of the
net proceeds from the sale of the watch, Defendant Castine shall remit the net proceeds of
the sale, less any costs for sales commission or advertising, to the Commission in the
form of an electronic funds transfer or certified or cashier’s check made payable to the
Commission or an agent as the Commission may direct, and provide a copy of the bill of
sale and evidence of the sales commission or advertising costs.
C.
Within 10 days of the entry of this Order, Defendant LeRoy Castine shall
transfer to the Receiver dominion, control, and legal and equitable title to the following
personal property formerly located at 123 East Baseline Road, Tempe, Arizona and now
in the possession of the Receiver:
1.
“The Ballparks of Major League Baseball” map with dirt samples
from various major league ballparks;
2.
Autographed sports photographs of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen,
Dennis Rodman, Brian Urlacher, Ernie Banks, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Nolan
Ryan, Magic Johnson, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, George Halas, Walter Payton, and
Lawrence Taylor;
3.
John Wooden “Pyramid of Success”; and
4.
UCLA basketball commemorative plaque.
Defendant LeRoy Castine shall cooperate fully with the Receiver and take such other
steps as the Receiver may require to transfer all dominion, control, and legal and
equitable title to all property transferred, including executing any documents and
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providing any necessary information. Upon completion of the transfer, the property shall
be treated as an asset of the Receivership Defendants for the purposes of this Order, and
shall be liquidated in accordance with Section XIII below.
D.
Defendant Chris Ambrosia is ordered to immediately liquidate the TD
Ameritrade account (account number xxx-xx3451) held by Max Direct LLC for fair
market value. Within 3 business days of receipt of the net proceeds from the liquidation
of this account, Defendant Chris Ambrosia shall remit the net proceeds of the liquidation,
less applicable brokerage fees, to the Commission in the form of an electronic funds
transfers or certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Commission or an agent as
the Commission may direct.
E.
Upon the payments or transfers set forth in Subsections B, C, and D above,
the remainder of the judgment is suspended, subject to the Subsections below.
F.
The Commission’s agreement to the suspension of part of the judgment is
expressly premised upon the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of Defendants’
sworn financial statements and related documents (collectively, Financial Attestations)
submitted to the Commission, namely:
1.
the Financial Statement of Individual Defendant LeRoy Castine
signed on October 31, 2012;
2.
the Declaration of LeRoy Castine signed on May 7, 2013;
3.
the Financial Statement of Individual Defendant Chris Ambrosia
signed on October 31, 2012; and
4.
G.
the Declaration of Chris Ambrosia signed on May 7, 2013.
The suspension of the judgment will be lifted as to any Defendant if, upon
motion by the Commission, the Court finds that Defendant failed to disclose any material
asset, materially misstated the value of any asset, or made any other material
misstatement or omission in the Financial Attestations identified above.
H.
If the suspension of the judgment is lifted, the judgment becomes
immediately due as to that Defendant in the amount specified in Subsection A above
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(which the parties stipulate only for purposes of this Section represents the consumer
injury or unjust enrichment alleged in the Amended Complaint), less any payment
previously made pursuant to this Section, plus interest computed from the date of entry of
this Order.
I.
Defendants relinquish dominion and all legal and equitable right, title, and
interest in assets transferred under this Order and may not seek the return of any assets.
J.
The facts alleged in the Amended Complaint will be taken as true, without
further proof, in any civil litigation by or on behalf of the Commission, including in a
proceeding to enforce its rights to any payment or monetary judgment under this Order,
such as a nondischargeability complaint in any bankruptcy case.
K.
The facts alleged in the Amended Complaint establish all elements
necessary to sustain an action by the Commission under Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the
Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A), and that this Order shall have collateral
estoppel effect for such purposes.
L.
Defendants acknowledge that their taxpayer identifying numbers (Social
Security Numbers or Employer Identification Numbers) that Defendants previously
submitted to the Commission may be used for collecting and reporting on any delinquent
amount arising out of this Order, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 7701.
M.
All money paid to the Commission under this Order may be deposited into
a fund administered by the Commission or its designee to be used for equitable relief,
including consumer redress and any attendant expenses for any redress fund. If a
representative of the Commission decides that direct redress to consumers is wholly or
partially impracticable or money remains after redress is completed, the Commission may
apply any remaining money for such other equitable relief (including consumer
information remedies) as it determines to be reasonably related to Defendants’ practices
alleged in the Amended Complaint. Any money not used for such equitable relief is to be
deposited to the U.S. Treasury as disgorgement. Defendants have no right to challenge
any actions the Commission or its representatives may take under this Subsection.
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N.
The asset freeze imposed by the Preliminary Injunction entered on March 7,
2013 is modified to permit the payments and transfers required by this Order. The asset
freeze on the assets of the Receivership Defendants shall remain in effect until the
Receiver completes all duties, is paid all Court-approved fees and expenses, and is
discharged under the Section titled “Receivership Termination.” The asset freeze on the
assets of Individual Defendants shall remain in effect against each Individual Defendant
until that Individual Defendant has fully complied with the requirements of this Section.
A financial institution may rely on a letter from the Commission stating that an asset
freeze on an Individual Defendant has been lifted.
O.
To ensure the Order effectuates disgorgement, Defendants must not,
directly or indirectly, take any deduction, capital loss, or other tax benefit on any federal
or state tax return for any asset transfer made to the Commission related to this Order.
Within 14 days of receipt of a written request from a representative of the Commission,
Defendants must take all necessary steps (such as filing a completed IRS Form 4506 or
8821) to cause the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authority to provide information
to the Commission. The Commission may request any information, including amended
tax returns and any other filings related to compliance with this provision, that
Defendants have the authority to release.
XI.
CUSTOMER INFORMATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants, Defendants’ officers, agents,
servants, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation
with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, are permanently restrained and
enjoined from directly or indirectly:
A.
failing to provide sufficient customer information to enable the
Commission to efficiently administer consumer redress. If a representative of the
Commission requests in writing any information related to redress, Defendants must
provide it, in the form prescribed by the Commission, within 14 days;
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B.
disclosing, using, or benefitting from customer information, including the
name, address, telephone number, email address, Social Security Number, other
identifying information, or any data that enables access to a customer’s account
(including a credit card, bank account, or other financial account), that any Defendant
obtained prior to entry of this Order in connection with marketing or selling or assisting
others in marketing or selling any debt relief product or service or financial related
product or service; and
C.
failing to destroy the customer information in all forms in their possession,
custody, or control within 30 days after receipt of written direction to do so from a
representative of the Commission.
Provided, however, that customer information need not be disposed of, and may
be disclosed, to the extent requested by a government agency or required by a law,
regulation, or court order.
XII.
COOPERATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants must fully cooperate with
representatives of the Commission in this case and in any investigation related to or
associated with the transactions or the occurrences that are the subject of the Amended
Complaint. Defendants must provide truthful and complete information, evidence, and
testimony. Individual Defendants must appear, and Corporate Defendants must cause
Corporate Defendants’ officers, employees, representatives, or agents to appear, for
interviews, discovery, hearings, trials, and any other proceedings that a Commission
representative may reasonably request upon 5 days written notice, or other reasonable
notice, at such places and times as a Commission representative may designate, without
the service of a subpoena.
XIII. RECEIVERSHIP TERMINATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the appointment of Thomas W. McNamara as
Receiver over the Receivership Defendants under Section XV of the Preliminary
Injunction entered on March 7, 2013, and related provisions set forth in Sections XVI,
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XVII, XVIII, XIX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, and XXIV of the Preliminary Injunction, are
continued in full force and effect except as modified by this Section.
A.
The Receiver is directed and authorized to accomplish the following:
1.
complete, as necessary, the liquidation of the assets of the
Receivership Defendants;
2.
prepare and file with the Court a final report describing the
Receiver’s activities under this Order and the Preliminary Injunction, and a final
application for compensation and expenses; and
3.
upon the Court’s approval of the Receiver’s final application for
compensation and expenses, distribute to the Commission any remaining assets at the
conclusion of the Receiver’s duties.
B.
The Receiver must complete all duties within 120 days after the entry of
this Order, but any party or the Receiver may request that the Court extend the Receiver’s
term for good cause. Upon completion of the above tasks, the duties of the Receivership
shall terminate, and the Receiver shall be discharged.
XIV. ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants obtain acknowledgments of
receipt of this Order:
A.
Each Defendant, within 7 days of entry of this Order, must submit to the
Commission an acknowledgment of receipt of this Order sworn under penalty of perjury.
B.
For 10 years after entry of this Order, each Individual Defendant for any
business that the Defendant, individually or collectively with any other Defendants, is the
majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, and each Corporate Defendant, must
deliver a copy of this Order to: (1) all principals, officers, directors, and LLC managers
and members; (2) all employees, agents, and representatives who participate in conduct
related to the subject matter of the Order; and (3) any business entity resulting from any
change in structure as set forth in the Section titled Compliance Reporting. Delivery
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must occur within 7 days of entry of this Order for current personnel. For all others,
delivery must occur before they assume their responsibilities.
C.
For ten (10) years after entry of this Order, Defendants must deliver a copy
of this Order to all Payment Processors with which they established a merchant account.
D.
From each individual or entity to which a Defendant delivered a copy of
this Order, that Defendant must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated
acknowledgment of receipt of this Order.
XV.
COMPLIANCE REPORTING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants make timely submissions to the
Commission:
A.
One year after entry of this Order, each Defendant must submit a
compliance report, sworn under penalty of perjury:
1.
Each Defendant must: (a) identify the primary physical, postal, and
email address and telephone number, as designated points of contact, which
representatives of the Commission may use to communicate with Defendant; (b) identify
all of that Defendant’s businesses by all of their names, telephone numbers, and physical,
postal, email, and Internet addresses; (c) describe the activities of each business,
including the products and services offered, the means of advertising, marketing, and
sales, and the involvement of any other Defendant (which Individual Defendants must
describe if they know or should know due to their own involvement); (d) describe in
detail whether and how that Defendant is in compliance with each Section of this Order;
and (e) provide a copy of each Order Acknowledgment obtained under this Order, unless
previously submitted to the Commission.
2.
Additionally, each Individual Defendant must: (a) identify all
telephone numbers and all physical, postal, email and Internet addresses, including all
residences; (b) identify all business activities, including any business for which such
Defendant performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in
which such Defendant has any ownership interest; and (c) describe in detail such
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 18 of 24
Defendant’s involvement in each such business, including title, role, responsibilities,
participation, authority, control, and any ownership.
B.
For 10 years after entry of this Order, each Defendant must submit a
compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days of any change in the
following:
1.
Each Defendant must report any change in: (a) any designated point
of contact; or (b) the structure of any Corporate Defendant or any entity that Defendant
has any ownership interest in or controls directly or indirectly that may affect compliance
obligations arising under this Order, including: creation, merger, sale, or dissolution of
the entity or any subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices
subject to this Order.
2.
Additionally, each Individual Defendant must report any change in:
(a) name, including aliases or fictitious name, or residence address; or (b) title or role in
any business activity, including any business for which such Defendant performs services
whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which such Defendant has any
ownership interest, and identify the name, physical address, and any Internet address of
the business or entity.
C.
Each Defendant must submit to the Commission notice of the filing of any
bankruptcy petition, insolvency proceeding, or similar proceeding by or against such
Defendant within 14 days of its filing.
D.
Any submission to the Commission required by this Order to be sworn
under penalty of perjury must be true and accurate and comply with 28 U.S.C. § 1746,
such as by concluding: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United
States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on: _____” and
supplying the date, signatory’s full name, title (if applicable), and signature.
E.
Unless otherwise directed by a Commission representative in writing, all
submissions to the Commission under this Order must be emailed to DEbrief@ftc.gov or
sent by overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service) to: Associate Director for
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 19 of 24
Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580. The subject line must begin: FTC
v. Ambrosia Web Design (X130003).
XVI. RECORDKEEPING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants must create certain records for 10
years after entry of the Order, and retain each record for 5 years. Specifically, Corporate
Defendants and each Individual Defendant for any business that such Defendant,
individually or collectively with any other Defendants, is a majority owner or controls
directly or indirectly, must create and retain the following records:
A.
accounting records showing the revenues from all goods or services sold;
B.
personnel records showing, for each person providing services, whether as
an employee or otherwise, that person’s: name; addresses; telephone numbers; job title
or position; dates of service; and (if applicable) the reason for termination;
C.
records of all consumer complaints and refund requests, whether received
directly or indirectly, such as through a third party, and any response;
D.
all records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision of
this Order, including all submissions to the Commission; and
E.
a copy of each unique advertisement or other marketing material.
XVII. COMPLIANCE MONITORING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of monitoring Defendants’
compliance with this Order and any failure to transfer any assets as required by this
Order:
A.
Within 14 days of receipt of a written request from a representative of the
Commission, each Defendant must: submit additional compliance reports or other
requested information, which must be sworn under penalty of perjury; appear for
depositions; and produce documents for inspection and copying. The Commission is also
authorized to obtain discovery, without further leave of court, using any of the procedures
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 20 of 24
prescribed by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 29, 30 (including telephonic depositions),
31, 33, 34, 36, 45, and 69.
B.
For matters concerning this Order, the Commission is authorized to
communicate directly with each Defendant. Each Defendant must permit representatives
of the Commission to interview any employee or other person affiliated with any
Defendant who has agreed to such an interview. The person interviewed may have
counsel present.
C.
The Commission may use all other lawful means, including posing, through
its representatives as consumers, suppliers, or other individuals or entities, to Defendants
or any individual or entity affiliated with Defendants, without the necessity of
identification or prior notice. Nothing in this Order limits the Commission’s lawful use
of compulsory process under Sections 9 and 20 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49, 57b-1.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 4th day of September, 2013.
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 22 of 24
I
2
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FOR DEFENDANTS WESTERN GPS LLC,
AFB LLC, CONCORD FINANCIAL
ADYTSORS LLC, AMBROSIA \ryEB
DESIGN LLC, CAM SERVICES DIRECT LLC,
LEROY CASTINE, AI\D CHRIS AMBROSIA
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Date:
BRIAI\ J. FOSTER
SI\ELL & WILMER L.L.P.
ONE ARIZONA CENTER
PHOENIX, A285004-2202
(602)382-6242
(602)382-6070 (Fax)
bfoster@swlaw.com
COT]NSEL FOR \ryESTERN GPS LLC,
AFB LLC, CONCORD FINANCTAL
ADVTSORS LLC, AMBROSIA WEB
DESIGN LLC, CAM SERVICES DIRECT LLC,
LEROY CASTII\I-E, AllD CHRrS AMBROSTA
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 23 of 24
DEFENDANTS:
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WESTERN GPS LLC
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II AFB LLC, AND CONCORD FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC
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Case 2:12-cv-02248-FJM Document 137 Filed 09/04/13 Page 24 of 24
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.