Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth has urged Floridians to opt out of the proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit by consumers against Publishers Clearing House. Butterworth said he expects to file his own complaint against the Port Washington, NY company. The lawsuit charges PCH with deceiving consumers into thinking they had to buy magazine subscriptions and merchandise in order to enter and win sweepstakes. The settlement, which earmarks $4 million for customer refunds nationwide, “looks like a good deal for lawyers and Publishers Clearing House but a bad deal for consumers,” Butterworth said in a statement. “If the value of requested refunds exceeds that amount, the company can issue pro rata refunds rather than full refunds.” PCH disagrees. “We think that the proposed settlement is comprehensive, substantial and fair,” said Chris Irving, director of consumer affairs for the company, in an interview.
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