Suntasia Marketing Pays More Than $16 Million

Fourteen defendants involved in the massive telemarketing scheme operated by Largo, Florida-based Suntasia Marketing, Inc. have agreed to pay a total of more than $16 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges. The funds obtained under the four settlements announced today are in addition to approximately $33 million that will be provided to Suntasia victims as part of a previously announced settlement between the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Wachovia Bank, N.A., which allegedly processed thousands of unauthorized demand drafts on Suntasia’s behalf. Together, the FTC and OCC settlements will provide nearly $50 million in restitution to Suntasia’s consumer victims.

“This is a tremendous victory for consumers who were victimized by Suntasia’s deceptive negative-option telemarketing,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC, the OCC, and the Department of Justice have worked together to secure nearly $50 million for Suntasia’s victims.” Full Story...