The Federal Trade Commission has reached financial settlements with two separate marketing groups charged with deceptive advertising practices.
Pinnacle Marketing LLC based in Biddeford, ME, and its principals Todd Flaherty, Matthew Tasker and Kevin Curty, agreed to pay $219,000 in consumer redress to settle charges associated with a product promoted for weight loss without diet or exercise.
Pinnacle promoted dietary supplements on radio in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston and in newspapers such as the Washington Post and Detroit Free Press, via Internet coupons and on-air interactive TV program guides, according to the FTC.
The settlement with Pinnacle Marketing also covers related firms doing business under the names Health Remedies, Acadia Skin Care, Atlantic Skin Care, Atlantic Skin Care Products and Pinnacle Marketing Group LLC. A clause in this settlement raises the amount due to $22.5 million, if a court finds that the defendants misrepresented their financial condition.
In a separate action, another Maine-based firm VisionTel Communications LLC, Michael McNaboe, David Amato and Robert Dall agreed to pay $750,000 to settle charges related to advertised sexual potency claims. This settlement also covers related firms doing business as Vision Laboratories, MJ Management, Mad Marketing Inc. and LLAD Management Inc.
Network
