GEORGE H. WU, District Judge.
Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission (Commission or FTC), filed its Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief (Complaint) (Dkt #3), subsequently amended as First Amended Complaint (Dkt 235) for a permanent injunction and other equitable relief in this matter, pursuant to Sections 13(b) and 19 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), 15 U.S.C. §§ 53(b) and 57b, Section 5 of the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA), 15 U.S.C. § 8404, and Section 917(c) of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), 15 U.S.C. § 1693o(c). The Commission and Defendant Roi Reuveni stipulate to the entry of this Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment (Order) to resolve all matters in dispute in this action between them.
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows:
1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter.
2. The Complaint charges that Defendant Roi Reuveni and Defendants participated in deceptive and unfair acts or practices in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45, Section 4 of ROSCA, 15 U.S.C. § 8403, and Section 907(a) of EFTA, 15 U.S.C. § 1693e(a), in connection with the online sale of skincare products through a negative option continuity plan.
3. Defendant Roi Reuveni neither admits nor denies any of the allegations in the Complaint, except as specifically stated in this Order. Only for purposes of this action, Defendant Roi Reuveni admits the facts necessary to establish jurisdiction.
4. Defendant Roi Reuveni waives any claim that he 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 agrees to bear his own costs and attorney fees.
5. Defendant Roi Reuveni waives all rights to appeal or otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Order.
For the purpose of this Order, the following definitions apply:
A. "
B. "
C. "
1. In any communication that is solely visual or solely audible, the disclosure must be made through the same means through which the communication is presented. In any communication made through both visual and audible means, such as a television advertisement, the disclosure must be presented simultaneously in both the visual and audible portions of the communication even if the representation requiring the disclosure is made in only one means.
2. A visual disclosure, by its size, contrast, location, the length of time it appears, and other characteristics, must stand out from any accompanying text or other visual elements so that it is easily noticed, read, and understood.
3. An audible disclosure, including by telephone or streaming video, must be delivered in a volume, speed, and cadence sufficient for ordinary consumers to easily hear and understand it.
4. In any communication using an interactive electronic medium, such as the Internet or software, the disclosure must be unavoidable.
5. On a product label, the disclosure must be presented on the principal display panel.
6. The disclosure must use diction and syntax understandable to ordinary consumers and must appear in each language in which the representation that requires the disclosure appears.
7. The disclosure must comply with these requirements in each medium through which it is received, including all electronic devices and face-to-face communications.
8. The disclosure must not be contradicted or mitigated by, or inconsistent with, anything else in the communication.
9. When the representation or sales practice targets a specific audience, such as children, the elderly, or the terminally ill, "ordinary consumers" includes reasonable members of that group.
D. "
1. Presenting or depositing into, or causing or allowing another to present or deposit into, the credit card system for payment, a Credit Card Sales Draft generated by a transaction that is not the result of a credit card transaction between the cardholder and the Defendant Roi Reuveni;
2. Employing, soliciting, or otherwise causing or allowing a Merchant, or an employee, representative, or agent of a Merchant, to present to or deposit into the credit card system for payment, a Credit Card Sales Draft generated by a transaction that is not the result of a credit card transaction between the cardholder and the Merchant; or
3. Obtaining access to the credit card system through the use of a business relationship or an affiliation with a Merchant, when such access is not authorized by the Merchant Account agreement or the applicable credit card system.
E. "
F. "
G. "
1. "
2. "
H. "
1. Any check guarantee or authorization service that does not directly result in a debit or credit to a consumer's account;
2. Any transfer of funds, other than those processed by automated clearinghouse, made by a financial institution on behalf of a consumer by means of a service that transfers funds held at either Federal Reserve banks or other depository institutions and that is not designed primarily to transfer funds on behalf of a consumer;
3. Any transaction the primary purpose of which is the purchase or sale of securities or commodities through a broker-dealer registered with or regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission;
4. Any automatic transfer from a savings account to a demand deposit account pursuant to an agreement between a consumer and a financial institution for the purpose of covering an overdraft or maintaining an agreed upon minimum balance in the consumer's demand deposit account; or
5. Any transfer of funds, which is initiated by a telephone conversation between a consumer and an officer or employee of a financial institution which is not pursuant to a prearranged plan and under which periodic or recurring transfers are not contemplated.
I. "
J. "
K. "
L. "
M. "
N. "
IT IS ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni is permanently restrained and enjoined from advertising, marketing, promoting, or offering for sale any good or service with a Negative Option Feature, whether directly or through an intermediary, including by consulting, planning, participating, facilitating or advising.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni and his officers, agents, and employees, 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 promoting or offering for sale any good or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from:
A. Before a customer consents to pay for such good or service, failing to disclose, or assisting others in failing to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner all material terms and conditions of any offer, including:
B. Before a customer consents to pay for such good or service, failing to disclose, or assisting others in failing to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner all material terms and conditions of any refund or cancellation policies, including:
C. Misrepresenting, or assisting others in misrepresenting, expressly or by implication, any fact material, including:
D. Providing false information to any bank or other billing entity, directly or indirectly, to contest a consumer's request for a refund, cancellation, chargeback, or reversal of payment;
E. Failing to obtain a consumer's express informed consent by causing billing information to be submitted for payment, or collecting or attempting to collect payment for goods or services without the consumer's express verifiable authorization, which shall include: (a) the customer's signature, including an electronic or digital form of signature that is recognized as a valid signature under federal law; or (b) express oral authorization that is audio-recorded and made available to the customer and the customer's bank or other billing entity and that evidences clearly both the customer's authorization of payment and the customer's receipt of the following information: (i) The number of debits, charges, or payments (if more than one); (ii) the date(s) the debit(s), charge(s), or payment(s) will be submitted for payment; (iii) the amounts of the debit(s), charge(s), or payment(s); (iv) the customer's name; (v) the customer's billing information identified with sufficient specificity such that the customer understands what account will be used to collect payment; (vi) identification of the seller's name, physical address, and telephone number; (vii) the date of the customer's oral authorization.;
F. Failing to obtaining written authorization signed or similarly authenticated from consumers for Preauthorized Electronic Fund Transfers from the consumer's account; or
G. Failing to provide a copy of a written authorization signed or similarly authenticated by a consumer for Preauthorized Electronic Fund Transfers from the consumer's account.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni and his officers, agents, and employees, 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 promoting or offering for sale any good or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from Credit Card Laundering.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A. Judgment in the amount of SEVENTY THREE MILLION THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX THOUSAND AND FIFTY FOUR Dollars ($73,326,054) is entered in favor of the Commission against Defendant Roi Reuveni as equitable monetary relief.
B. Defendant Roi Reuveni is ordered to pay to the Commission FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000). Such payment must be made within 7 days of entry of this Order by electronic fund transfer in accordance with instructions previously provided by a representative of the Commission. Upon such timely payment, the remainder of the judgment is suspended, subject to the Subsections below.
C. The Commission's agreement to the suspension of part of the judgment is expressly premised upon the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of Defendant Roi Reuveni's sworn financial statements and related documents (collectively, "financial representations") submitted to the Commission, namely:
D. The suspension of the judgment will be lifted as to Defendant Roi Reuveni if, upon motion by the Commission, the Court finds that Defendant Roi Reuveni failed to disclose any material asset, materially misstated the value of any asset, or made any other material misstatement or omission in the financial representations identified above.
E. If the suspension of the judgment is lifted, the judgment becomes immediately due as to Defendant Roi Reuveni in the amount specified in Subsection A above which the parties stipulate only for purposes of this Section represents the consumer injury alleged in the Complaint, less any payment previously made pursuant to this Section, plus interest computed from the date of entry of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A. Defendant Roi Reuveni relinquishes dominion and all legal and equitable right, title, and interest in all assets transferred pursuant to this Order and may not seek the return of any assets.
B. The facts alleged in the Complaint will be taken as true, without further proof, in any subsequent civil litigation by or on behalf of the Commission, including in a proceeding to enforce its rights to any payment or monetary judgment pursuant to this Order, such as a nondischargeability complaint in any bankruptcy case.
C. The facts alleged in the Complaint establish all elements necessary to sustain an action by the Commission pursuant to Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A), and this Order will have collateral estoppel effect for such purposes.
D. Defendant Roi Reuveni acknowledges that his Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number), which Defendant Roi Reuveni 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.
E. All money paid to the Commission pursuant to 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 the administration of 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 Complaint. Any money not used for such equitable relief is to be deposited to the U.S. Treasury as disgorgement. Defendant Roi Reuveni has no right to challenge any actions the Commission or its representatives may take pursuant to this Subsection.
F. The asset freeze is modified to permit the payments/transfers identified in the Monetary Judgment and Partial Suspension Section. Upon completion of those payments/transfers, the asset freeze is dissolved as to Defendant Roi Reuveni.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni, his officers, agents, and employees, 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, 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, Defendant Roi Reuveni must provide it, in the form prescribed by the Commission, within 14 days.
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 the sale of any product through a negative option continuity plan; and
C. Failing to destroy such customer information in all forms in his 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 law, regulation, or court order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 Complaint. Defendant Roi Reuveni must provide truthful and complete information, evidence, and testimony. Defendant Roi Reuveni must appear for interviews, discovery, hearings, trials, and any other proceedings that a Commission or Receiver 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.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni obtain acknowledgments of receipt of this Order:
A. Defendant Roi Reuveni, 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 15 years after entry of this Order, Defendant Roi Reuveni for any business that he, individually or collectively with any other Defendant, is the majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, 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 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. From each individual or entity to which Defendant Roi Reuveni delivered a copy of this Order, Defendant Roi Reuveni must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni make timely submissions to the Commission:
A. One year after entry of this Order, Defendant Roi Reuveni must submit a compliance report, sworn under penalty of perjury:
1. Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 Roi Reuveni; (b) identify all of Defendant Roi Reuveni'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 goods and services offered, the means of advertising, marketing, and sales, and the involvement of any other Defendant which Defendant Roi Reuveni must describe if he knows or should know due to his own involvement; (d) describe in detail whether and how Defendant Roi Reuveni is in compliance with each Section of this Order; and (e) provide a copy of each Order Acknowledgment obtained pursuant to this Order, unless previously submitted to the Commission.
2. Additionally, Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 Defendant Roi Reuveni performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which Defendant Roi Reuveni has any ownership interest; and (c) describe in detail Defendant Roi Reuveni's involvement in each such business, including title, role, responsibilities, participation, authority, control, and any ownership.
B. For 15 years after entry of this Order, Defendant Roi Reuveni must submit a compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days of any change in the following:
1. Defendant Roi Reuveni must report any change in: (a) any designated point of contact; or (b) the structure of any entity that Defendant Roi Reuveni 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, Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 Defendant Roi Reuveni performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which Defendant Roi Reuveni has any ownership interest, and identify the name, physical address, and any Internet address of the business or entity.
C. Defendant Roi Reuveni must submit to the Commission notice of the filing of any bankruptcy petition, insolvency proceeding, or similar proceeding by or against Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 pursuant to this Order must be emailed to DEbrief@ftc.gov or sent by overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service) to: Associate Director for Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580. The subject line must begin: FTC v. BunZai Media Group, Inc., et al. FTC File No. X150047.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant Roi Reuveni must create certain records for 15 years after entry of the Order, and retain each such record for 5 years. Specifically, Defendant Roi Reuveni for any business that he, 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, including Internet and social media advertising or webpages.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of monitoring Defendant Roi Reuveni's compliance with this Order, including the financial representations upon which part of the judgment was suspended 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, Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 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 Defendant Roi Reuveni. Defendant Roi Reuveni 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 Defendant Roi Reuveni or any individual or entity affiliated with Defendant Roi Reuveni, without the necessity of identification or prior notice. Nothing in this Order limits the Commission's lawful use of compulsory process, pursuant to Sections 9 and 20 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49 and 57b-1.
D. Upon written request from a representative of the Commission, any consumer reporting agency must furnish consumer reports concerning Defendant Roi Reuveni, pursuant to Section 604(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681b(a)(1).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court retains jurisdiction of this matter for purposes of construction, modification, and enforcement of this Order.