Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with a bi-weekly news release from the Office of the Attorney General, Bill McCollum that should give debt collect pause.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
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April 7, 2008
Attorney General Obtains $1.3 Million Judgment Against Jacksonville Debt Collector
Court awards significant damages from 2005 lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that
a Jacksonville resident and his debt collection agency have been ordered to
pay $1.3 million in restitution and civil penalties for violations of
Florida and Federal collections laws. Ted Ellis Crosby, individually and in
his capacity as owner and director of Ellis Crosby & Associates, was found
to have engaged in willful violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair
Business Practices Act and Florida’s Consumer Collections Practices Act.
The case was litigated by the Attorney General’s Economic Crimes division.
“This case should put similar operations on notice that the penalties
for such deceptive business practices can be very costly,” said Attorney
General McCollum. “Florida authorities will not tolerate unscrupulous
individuals who victimize our citizens in potentially difficult financial
situations.”
The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in June August 2005, alleged
that Crosby and his company used deceptive practices in an attempt to
scare, harass and intimidate debtors into paying amounts far in excess of
their debts. Testimony from victims and witnesses revealed that Crosby and
company used tactics such as posing as law enforcement officers,
threatening seizure of property, and even threatening bodily harm. More
than 380 victims filed complaints with the Attorney General’s office.
Duval Circuit Court Judge L. Haldane Taylor ordered Crosby and his
company to pay $388,000 in consumer restitution, $700,000 in fines for
violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Business Practices Act, and
$253,000 in fees and costs, totaling more than $1.3 million. The Judge also
entered a permanent injunction which prohibits Crosby and his company from
engaging in any activity within the State of Florida which is related in
any way to the ownership, processing, administration or collection of
consumer debts.
More information about protecting yourself from improper debt
collection tactics is available online at:
http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/main/7cd1ef6dd790c14685256cc900560bd6!OpenDocument
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Evelyn out.
