UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, Plaintiff,
v.
TRADENET MARKETING, INC., a corporation, L.W. COOPER, individually and
as an officer of Tradenet Marketing, Inc., ALBERTO GUERRERO, individually and as an
officer of Tradenet Marketing, Inc., TOP MARKETING BUSINESS CONSULTING, INC. a
corporation, and ERWIN RICHARD ANNAU, individually and as an officer of Top Marketing
Business Consulting, Inc., Defendants.
Civil Action No.
STIPULATED FINAL JUDGMENT
WHEREAS: Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or the
"Commission") commenced this action by filing the Complaint herein; Defendant
Alberto Guerrero has waived service of the Summons and Complaint; the parties have been
represented by the attorneys whose names appear hereafter; and the parties have agreed to
the settlement of this action upon the following terms and conditions, without
adjudication of any issue of fact or law and without Defendant admitting liability for any
of the matters alleged in the Complaint;
THEREFORE, on the joint motion of Plaintiff and Defendant Alberto Guerrero, it is
hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED as follows:
DEFINITIONS
- "Defendant" means Alberto Guerrero ("Guerrero"), who as of June 1,
1998, resided at 1010 Macrae Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33755, his successors and assigns,
and his officers, agents, servants, employees and attorneys, and all persons in active
concert or participation with him who receive actual notice of this Stipulated Final
Judgment ("Judgment") by personal service or otherwise.
- "Competent and reliable scientific evidence" means tests, analyses, research,
studies, or other evidence based on the expertise of professionals in the relevant area,
that has been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by persons qualified to do
so, using procedures generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable
results.
- "Laundry product" means any product used in the process of refurbishing
textiles, including but not limited to products described as replacing detergents or
bleaches, whether referred to as "boosters" or "brighteners," and
products described as changing the nature of water by any means that will have a
beneficial effect on washing, including water filters, water filtration systems, water
purification systems, or water cleaning systems.
- "Consumer" means a purchaser (including purchasers for resale) of one or more
products sold by Defendant, whether or not purchased directly from Defendant.
FINDINGS
- This Court has jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties.
- The Complaint states a claim upon which relief may be granted against Guerrero under
Sections 5(a) and 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 45(a) and
53(b);
- Venue is proper as to Guerrero in the Middle District of Florida;
- The activities of Guerrero are in or affecting commerce, as defined in the FTC Act, 15
U.S.C. § 44; and
- Guerrero has waived all rights that may arise under the Equal Access to Justice Act,
28 U.S.C. § 2412, amended by Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 847, 863-64
(1996).
ORDER
I. PROHIBITED CLAIMS FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT Defendant, directly or through any
corporation, subsidiary, division, distributor, or other device, in connection with the
advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of The Laundry Solution,
The SuperGlobe, or any substantially similar product, in or affecting commerce, is hereby
permanently enjoined from representing in any manner, expressly or by implication:
A. that such product cleans as well as conventional laundry detergent;
B. that such product cleans laundry by emitting a negative charge that forces
positively charged dirt to leave fabric; or
C. that such product's active ingredients are "structured water," "IE
crystals," "IE solution," or "IE
structures."
II. CLAIMS REQUIRED TO BE TRUE AND SUBSTANTIATED
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Defendant, directly or through any
corporation, subsidiary, division, distributor, or other device, in connection with the
advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any product, in or
affecting commerce, is hereby enjoined from making any representation in any manner,
expressly or by implication:
A. that such product cleans as well as conventional laundry detergent;
B. that such product cleans laundry by emitting a negative charge that forces
positively charged dirt to leave fabric; or
C. that such product's active ingredients are "structured water," "IE
crystals," "IE solution," or "IE
structures"; or
D. regarding such product's comparative or absolute efficacy, benefits, mechanism of
action, or performance;
unless the representation is true and, at the time it is made, Defendant possesses and
relies upon competent and reliable evidence, which when appropriate must be competent and
reliable scientific evidence, that substantiates the representation.
III. CLAIMS ABOUT TESTS, STUDIES OR RESEARCH
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Defendant, directly or through any
corporation, subsidiary, division, distributor, or other device, in connection with the
advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any product, in or
affecting commerce, is hereby enjoined from misrepresenting, in any manner, expressly or
by implication, the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions, or
interpretations of any test, study, or research.
IV. CLAIMS MADE THROUGH TESTIMONIALS AND/OR ENDORSEMENTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Defendant, directly or through any
corporation, subsidiary, division, distributor, or other device, in connection with the
advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any product, in or
affecting commerce, is hereby enjoined from representing in any manner, expressly or by
implication, that the experience represented by any user testimonial or endorsement of
such product represents the typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who
use the product, unless:
A. The representation is true and, at the time it is made, Defendant possesses and
relies upon competent and reliable evidence, which when appropriate must be competent and
reliable scientific evidence, that substantiates the representation; or,
B. Defendant discloses clearly and prominently, and in close proximity to the
endorsement or testimonial, either:
(1) what the generally expected results would be for users of the product, or
(2) the limited applicability of the endorser's experience to what consumers may
generally expect to achieve, that is, that consumers should not expect to experience
similar results. For purposes of this Paragraph, "endorsement" shall mean as
defined in 16 C.F.R. § 255.0(b).
V. ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Defendant, directly or through any
corporation, subsidiary, division, distributor, or other device, in connection with the
advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any product, in or
affecting commerce, is hereby enjoined from making any representation, in any manner,
expressly or by implication:
A. that such product is a solution to the problems of pollution of rivers, streams,
lakes, and oceans;
B. regarding such product's comparative or absolute safety to individuals or to the
environment; or
C. such product's environmental benefits, unless, at the time the representation is
made, Defendant possesses and relies upon competent and reliable evidence, which when
appropriate must be competent and reliable scientific evidence, that substantiates the
representation.
VI. PROHIBITED DISTRIBUTION OF CONSUMER INFORMATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Defendant is hereby enjoined from offering
for sale, selling, or distributing to any person other than to a named defendant, an
entity in which a named defendant is an owner, or a law enforcement agency, any list of
any consumer's name, telephone number, mailing address, bank or credit card account
number, or other identifying information.
VII. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Defendant is hereby enjoined from providing
knowing substantial assistance to others to engage in any of the activities prohibited by
Paragraphs I through VI of this Judgment.
VIII. MONETARY JUDGMENT
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT a judgment in the amount of FIFTY-THOUSAND
($50,000) is hereby entered against Guerrero. Based on Guerrero's sworn representations in
his financial disclosure statements dated June 18, 1998 and the attachments thereto (1996
and 1997 U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns -- 1040 Forms), hereinafter together
designated "Financial Disclosure Statements," payment of the foregoing monetary
judgment is waived, contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the Financial
Disclosure Statements.
Plaintiff's agreement to this monetary judgment is expressly premised upon the
truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of the financial condition of Guerrero, as
represented in the Financial Disclosure Statements referenced above, which contain
material information upon which the Plaintiff relied in negotiating and agreeing to the
waiver of the monetary judgment. In all other respects, this Judgment shall remain in full
force and effect unless otherwise ordered by this Court.
If, upon motion by the Commission, this Court finds that Guerrero made any material
misrepresentation in or omission from the Financial Disclosure Statements, the entire
amount of the FIFTY-THOUSAND ($50,000) suspended judgment entered against Guerrero will be
immediately due and payable. In connection with any such motion, the only issue shall be
whether the financial information Guerrero provided in the Financial Disclosure Statements
was fraudulent, misleading, inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect.
The Commission may apply any or all funds received from Guerrero pursuant to this
monetary judgment, and any interest received thereon, to a consumer redress program and to
related administrative expenses; provided, however, that if the Commission in its
sole discretion determines that a consumer redress program is not feasible, the Commission
may pay such funds to the United States Treasury as disgorgement. Guerrero shall have no
right to contest the manner of distribution chosen by the Commission.
Guerrero is hereby required, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 7701, to furnish to
the Commission his taxpayer identifying numbers (social security number or employer
identification number), which shall be used for purposes of collecting and reporting on
any delinquent amount arising out of his relationship with the government.
For purposes of this Paragraph, and any subsequent proceedings to enforce payment,
including but not limited to a nondischargeability complaint filed in a bankruptcy
proceeding, Guerrero waives any right to contest any of the allegations of Plaintiff's
Complaint.
IX. ALLEGATIONS IN THE COMPLAINT TAKEN AS TRUE
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT the facts as alleged in the Complaint filed
with this Judgment shall be taken as true in any subsequent litigation filed by the FTC to
enforce its rights under this Judgment, including its claim for monetary relief, including
but not limited to a nondischargeability complaint in any subsequent bankruptcy
proceeding.
X. PRODUCTION OF SALES RECORDS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT within 30 days after the entering of this
Judgment, Guerrero, his successors and assigns, shall provide to the FTC a description of
the available records regarding sales of The Laundry Solution and The SuperGlobe from
January 1, 1996 to the date of entry of this Stipulated Final Judgment, in order for the
FTC to design a redress plan. Guerrero shall assist the FTC, and its agents, in locating
and producing all records necessary to conduct the proposed claims procedure, including,
but not limited to, records identifying the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
consumers who paid for goods from January 1, 1996, the amount the consumer paid, and the
amount of any price reduction negotiated by the consumer.
XI. ORDER DISTRIBUTION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT Guerrero, his successors and assigns, shall
send a copy of this Judgment to all current and future principals, officers, directors,
and managers and to all current and future agents, employees, distributors, and
independent contractors having responsibility with respect to this Judgment's subject
matter, and shall secure from each such person a signed statement acknowledging receipt of
the Judgment. Guerrero shall deliver this Judgment to current personnel within 30 days of
the entry of this Judgment, and to future personnel within 30 days after the person
assumes such position or responsibilities. Within 60 days of entry of this Judgment,
Guerrero shall file with the Federal Trade Commission an affidavit setting forth the fact
and manner of his compliance, including the name and title of each person to whom a copy
of the Judgment has been provided, and a copy of their acknowledgment.
XII. RECORDKEEPING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT for a period of 5 years from the date of
entry of this Judgment, Guerrero shall create and maintain:
A. Records sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this Judgment,
including but not limited to:
(1) All advertisements and promotional materials for any laundry or cleaning products
offered for sale by Defendant;
(2) All materials that were relied upon in disseminating any representation covered by
this Judgment; and
(3) All tests, reports, studies, surveys, demonstrations, or other evidence in his
possession or control that contradict, qualify, or call into question any representation
covered by this Judgment, or the basis relied upon for the representation, including
complaints and other communications with consumers or with governmental or consumer
protection organizations;
B. Records containing the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer who
purchases products from Defendant either directly or though any third party;
C. A record of each written consumer complaint (including complaints referred from any
third party, such as any office of the Better Business Bureau or any State Attorney
General), and each refund request received by Defendant, including:
(1) The consumer's name, address, telephone number and the dollar amount paid by the
consumer;
(2) The consumer's written complaint or refund request and the date the complaint or
refund request was received;
(3) The basis of the complaint or refund request, if known, and the nature and result
of any investigation conducted as to the complaint;
(4) The response to the complaint or refund request and the date of the response; and
(5) The final resolution, the date of the resolution, and, in the event of a denial of
a refund request, the reason for the denial; and
D. With regard to complaints or refund requests received by telephone, Guerrero shall
develop and maintain a program to create and maintain the same information as identified
in Parts C.(1) through C.(5) of this Paragraph above.
XIII. ACCESS TO BUSINESS PREMISES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT for a period of 5 years from the date of
entry of this Judgment, for purposes of determining or securing compliance with this
Judgment, Guerrero shall:
A. Upon reasonable written notice by any representative of the Commission, permit
representatives of the Commission access during normal business hours to the offices of
any business owned or controlled in whole or in part by him to inspect and copy all
documents relating in any way to any conduct subject to this Judgment;
B. Upon written request by any representative of the Commission produce documents on 30
days' notice concerning any conduct subject to this Judgment;
C. appear within 30 days' notice to be deposed concerning any conduct subject to this
Judgment, or within such time as is jointly agreed to by the counsel for the Commission
and Defendant's counsel, if Defendant has counsel; and
D. The Commission may otherwise monitor compliance with this Judgment by all lawful
means available, including the use of investigators posing as consumers, distributors or
vendors.
XIV. MONITORING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT for a period of 5 years from the date of
entry of this Judgment, Guerrero shall promptly inform the Commission by written
notification at least 30 days in advance, or in the case of involuntary termination of
employment, within 30 days of such termination, of:
A. Any change in his residential address, occupation, place of business, or place of
employment;
B. Any change in the name, address, type of business, or identity of each company,
corporation, partnership, or business owned or controlled directly or indirectly by him;
C. Any proposed change in any company, corporation, partnership, or business that is
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by him including, but not limited to,
dissolution, assignment, or sale resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation,
the creation or dissolution of subsidiaries, or any other change in business
relationship(s) that may affect compliance obligations arising out of this Judgment;
D. His affiliation with a new business or employment that involves the advertising,
promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of laundry or cleaning products,
including a description of such business, the business address, and of his interest in and
duties in connection with such business or employment;
E. The formation of any corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or independent
consulting business or any other business entity that is engaged directly or indirectly in
the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of laundry or
cleaning products, in which he is or is to become an officer or director, or in which he
is or is to become a holder of 10% or more of the stock; and
F. Any termination or suspension of business operations by him, the resumption of
business operations, or any termination, suspension or establishment of any type of
consulting relationship with any third party relating to the advertising, promotion,
offering for sale, sale, or distribution of laundry or cleaning products.
XV. NOTICES
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT all notifications required of Guerrero, his
successors and assigns, by this Judgment, or concerning this Judgment, shall be sent to
the following address:
Associate Director
Division of Enforcement
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C. 20580
XVI. CONTINUING JURISDICTION
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT this Court shall retain jurisdiction of this
matter for purposes of construction, modification, and
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enforcement of this Judgment.
SO ORDERED, this ______ day of __________, 1998 in ________,
Florida.
_______________________________________
THE HONORABLE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
The parties hereby consent to the terms and conditions set forth above and consent to
entry of the Final Judgment without further notice to the parties. Each party to this
Judgment hereby agrees to bear its own costs and attorneys fees incurred in connection
with this action.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
__________________________
Constance M. Vecellio
Pablo M. Zylberglait |
__________________________
Defendant Alberto Guerrero |
__________________________
Counsel for Plaintiff
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, DC 20580
202-326-3143;3222
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