For Your Information:
December 10, 2002
Seal lifted on FTC federal district court complaint:
On November 13, the Federal Trade
Commission and 12 federal, state, and local law enforcement and
consumer protection agencies announced a four-part
initiative to fight deceptive spam and Internet scams.
The centerpiece of the initiative was a group of more than 30
law enforcement actions, including seven federal court actions
filed by the Commission. One FTC action, alleging that the
defendants used spam to deceptively obtained consumers'
sensitive financial information, was filed under seal. The seal
has now been lifted. The defendants in the matter are GM
Funding, Inc., Robert D. Kutzner, Global Mortgage Funding, Inc.,
Damian R. Kutzner, Universal IT Solutions, Inc., and Anthony
Tamraz. The case was filed in the Central District of
California, Southern Division. (Civil Action No. SACV 02-1026;
staff contact is Brian Huseman, Bureau of Consumer Protection
202-326-3320; see press release dated
November 13, 2002.)
Commission authorization
to file amended complaint:
The Commission has authorized the
FTC staff to amend a complaint in the matter currently pending
against Inspired Ventures, Inc., et al. This
complaint in this matter, which was filed as part of the FTC's
"Operation Busted Opportunity" law enforcement sweep, alleged
that Inspired Ventures, Inc., Jesse Alper, and Victor Alper
violated the FTC Act and the Franchise Rule in connection with
their sale of business opportunity ventures. Through this
action, the Commission has approved the addition of two other
corporations, I.V.I. Management Corp. and Source Systems, Inc.,
to the original complaint. The Commission vote authorizing staff
to amend the complaint was 5-0. (FTC File No. X020067; staff
contact is Brad Winter, Bureau of Consumer Protection,
202-326-2597; see press release dated
June 20, 2002.) |