The Justice Department announced today that YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, L.C., (the Company), headquartered in Lehi, Utah, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal misdemeanor charges regarding its illegal trafficking of rosewood oil and spikenard oil in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act.
The Company voluntarily disclosed its rosewood oil violations and has been cooperating with government investigators. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, the Company was sentenced to a fine of $500,000, $135,000 in restitution, a community service payment of $125,000 for the conservation of protected species of plants used in essential oils, and a term of five years’ probation with special conditions.
The conditions include the implementation of a corporate compliance plan, audits, and the publication of statements regarding its convictions.
“The importation of illegally harvested wood and timber products harms law-abiding American companies and workers and threatens forest resources around the world,”
said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Our Division was proud to work alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Utah, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Homeland Security to bring this case
Tag Archive for Law Suit
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5Linx Executives Declined An Offer By The USA Federal Government
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
The three men accused of stealing $4 million from the investors of a company they founded, walked out of federal court Monday saying they are ready to go to trial.
The three top executives of 5LINX – Craig Jerabeck, Jeb Tyler and Jason Guck – declined an offer by the federal government. The next step is for prosecutors to take this case to a grand jury to decide what, if any, criminal charges should be considered.
Defense attorney, Matt Parrinello said they have a strong case to prove.
“We think it is in our best interest to have the case go to grand jury and proceed forward ultimately with a trial,” Parrinello said. “Our clients are anxious to get this case moving and moving along – their reputations are at stake.”
Jerabeck, Tyler and Guck are all charged with wire fraud and conspiracy. The feds say the 5LINX executives stole $4 million from investors between 2009 and 2015.
A federal complaint claims the men set up fake shell companies, and added themselves as contractors to be paid directly.
However, defense attorneys paint a far different picture, saying the three executives did not commit fraud, but were rather the victims of greedy investors.
“This is a story about
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Supreme Court Of India Rules In Favor Of QNET
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
In a major development the Supreme Court has ordered a stay on all further proceedings against direct selling company QNET and its franchisee Vihaan Direct Selling Pvt Ltd (Vihaan).
It fundamentally also granted bail to its Indian shareholders Michael Ferreira and Malckolm Desai. QNet, which has been under investigation since 2013, views this with positivity thereby.
The order comes at a timely moment given the backdrop of the model Direct Selling Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for proper functioning of Direct Selling companies in India.
In an interim order, a two-judge bench comprising Mr. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Mr. Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman categorically stayed all FIRs against the business of QNET in India.
The Supreme Court has also stayed further proceedings in all 19 FIRs against the company across India.
As
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Lyoness Plans To Appeal Against Swiss Pyramid Decision
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
According to an article in TT.com an magazine in Austria, Lyoness has stated it plans to appeal the decision from the Swiss Court that the company compensation plan is a Pyramid – Snowballl system.
The google translation, partly edited:
Against Lyoness, main sponsor of the Austrian football club Rapid Wien, is an other civil law judgment. This time, the Swiss Obergericht Zug has described Lyoness as a snowball system. Members would only receive money when they recruited other members. Moreover, the business model is intransparent. The judgment is not final.
Lyoness had resisted a corresponding judgment of the lower court and has now cut off with the complaint. A judgment of the Supreme Court of the Canton of Zug (APA), dated February 28, is entitled to appeal “if a legal question is of fundamental importance”.
Lyoness
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QNET Has Big Plans For India But Needs Clear-Cut Norms For Direct Seling
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
Global direct selling major QNet says it has big plans for India but needs clear-cut norms that differentiate genuine direct-sellers from those involved in illicit investment schemes.
Malaysia-based QNet’s Global CEO Trevor Kuna emphasised that it sells products and services and not into “investment business” and said it has been paying all its taxes and all their payments have been made after deduction of taxes and that too through non-cash modes with full documentation and transparency.
The group and its Indian franchisee has been facing several legal cases in India and has been accused of indulging in fraudulent business activities — the charges which it has been refuting consistently.
“We do have big plans for India, but like many other companies we are waiting and watching how the implementation of the guidelines unfolds on the
Hot Business News Today
QNET Has Big Plans For India But Needs Clear-Cut Norms For Direct Seling
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
Global direct selling major QNet says it has big plans for India but needs clear-cut norms that differentiate genuine direct-sellers from those involved in illicit investment schemes.
Malaysia-based QNet’s Global CEO Trevor Kuna emphasised that it sells products and services and not into “investment business” and said it has been paying all its taxes and all their payments have been made after deduction of taxes and that too through non-cash modes with full documentation and transparency.
The group and its Indian franchisee has been facing several legal cases in India and has been accused of indulging in fraudulent business activities — the charges which it has been refuting consistently.
“We do have big plans for India, but like many other companies we are waiting and watching how the implementation of the guidelines unfolds on the
Hot Business News Today
Nerium International – Nerium Biotechnolgy Shareholders Deny Allegations
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
On 20 February we published court documents (we did not make it up….) in which Jeff Olson – CEO Nerium International is accused of numerous inappropriate transactions by 2 partners / shareholders:
1. Nerium SkinCare (NSC) is a division of Nerium Biotechnology Inc., President is Dennis Knocke.
2. Nerium Biotechnology inc. (NBI) CEO is Dennis Knocke, the company owns 30% of Nerium International.
So there are 3 different Nerium companies, which make the case confusion. Nerium International and NSC/NBI have business disputes with each other that they are addressing in court.
The article got over 100,000 hits and many Nerium network marketing distributors were more than upset.
Business For Home was able to retrieve a letter by a group of shareholders from Nerium Biotechnology Inc represented by Donald R. Gardner, and Gardner represents a large
Hot Business News Today
Maelle Beauty Out Of Business – Younique Products Sued The Company
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
7,000 Maelle Beauty distributors (mentors) are in shock, due to a legal dispute with Younique products, the company has to cease business for 5 months.
Maelle Beauty was founded by Chris Welch former VP of International Marketing for Younique, and Ros Simmons, former CEO of Virgin Cosmetics & former Product manager for The Body Shop.
Yesterday the company (Chris Welch) send out the next message:
“Dear Maelle Mentors,
Since our interception, we have experienced incredible success. In less than a year, we have built a brand we love, grown to more than 7,000 strong in five countries and brought over 20 innovative, high-quality products to the market. All of this provided you, our Mentors – the lifeblood of our business – with a compelling platform to build incredible teams, establish lifelong friendships, and create lasting success.
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FTC Press Release: Vemma Agrees To Ban On Pyramid Scheme Practices To Settle FTC Charges
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, Arizona-based Vemma Nutrition Company will end the business practices that the FTC alleged created a pyramid scheme.
The multi-level marketing (MLM) company, which sells health and wellness drinks through a network of distributors called “affiliates,” will be prohibited under a federal court order from paying an affiliate unless a majority of that affiliate’s revenue comes from sales to real customers rather than other distributors. The order also bars Vemma from making deceptive income claims and unsubstantiated health claims.
“Unfortunately, extravagant income claims and compensation plans that reward recruiting over sales continue to plague the MLM industry,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
“MLM companies must ensure that their promotional materials aren’t misleading, and that their compensation programs focus on selling goods
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Consumer Watchdog TINA Going After Plexus Worldwide
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
TINA.org is a non-profit organization that uses investigative journalism, education, and advocacy to empower consumers to protect themselves against false advertising and deceptive marketing.
The organization has triggered in the past FTC investigations. According to their below press release, Plexus could be a target.
TINA:
Plexus Worldwide, an Arizona-based multilevel marketing (MLM) company that markets nutritional supplements, weight-loss, and personal care products, calls itself the “health and happiness” company that offers life-changing financial freedom for recruits.
But an investigation by ad watchdog truthinadvertising.org (TINA.org) has found issues that could put a darker spin on the meaning of life-changing.
Here’s what you should know about Plexus:
1. Unsubstantiated Health Claims
Despite a previous FDA warning, TINA.org found more than 100 unsubstantiated health claims marketing Plexus products for everything from depression to cancer to Lyme disease.
2. Breast Chek Recheck
Though Plexus’ Breast Chek