Facing steep costs to defend himself against a criminal fraud charge, TelexFREE co-owner James Merrill has asked a federal court to release more than $4 million of his money so he can pay his legal fees.
While the Ashland man’s attorney’s 8-page motion doesn’t mention where that money came from, Merrill argues it’s the responsibility of U.S. prosecutors to prove the funds are related to their charge against him, which stems from his alleged role atop what they say was an international pyramid scheme.
“Certainly, the government is in no position to challenge the contention that extraordinary funds are necessary to defend the instant prosecution,” Boston-based lawyer Robert Goldstein wrote in the Tuesday filing in U.S. District Court in Worcester. “Indeed, at the original bail hearing, the government not only argued this was not ‘a typical white-collar case,’ but it proceeded to argue that it ‘is probably the largest financial fraud being prosecuted in the United States currently…'”
Merrill specifically identifies five accounts he hopes to draw from to fund his defense: two held in Merrill’s name containing $79,684.28; two in Merrill’s and his wife Kristin Merrill’s names containing $4,090,085.97; and one in the name of his cleaning company, Cleaner Image Associates, containing $10,643. All of those accounts were frozen by the
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QNET Supports Globby E-Commerce Platform in Singapore
by Nicole Dunkley • • 0 Comments
Singapore recently hosted a presentation of a new E-Commerce Service. Globby E-Commerce Platform is designed to support small business development in Southeast Asia.
QNET International welcomes the development of electronic commerce in Asia, as the company’s management believes that the development of the e-commerce market is crucial for future growth.
QNET is constantly improving its own products as well as delivery methods to the end user.
The greater number of companies that create an opportunity to promote their products through eCommerce, the greater the number of people in the world get to choose for themselves exactly the way they’d like to purchase goods.
This type of trade is beneficial as the producer has an opportunity to reduce the budgetary output costs and and the consumer has the opportunity to reduce costs pertaining to the acquisition of goods.
QNET supports eCommerce development in many countries. In early February of this year, the Company became a member of The QNET E-Commerce Association in the Philippines. This non-profit partnership engages in increasing the competitiveness of Philippine business in the global market. It brings together the leading players in the electronic market of this country.
Joachim Steffen, regional director of QNET in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Europe,
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ViSalus Comes To Austria And Germany
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Vi Promoters from all over Austria and Germany stepped up their efforts to Challenge others by taking part in the historic Vi Austria and Vi Germany Pre-Launch.
“Creating new leaders and Challenging the world” was just one of the many inspiring messages that the three Vi Founders Ryan Blair, Blake Mallen and Nick Sarnicola brought to life on stage.
Launching the first non-English-speaking markets in Europe has become a reality… The Challenge has officially arrived.
Successful leaders from all over the world, including Vi Millionaires and the new markets’ pioneering Promoters, were among the featured speakers.
The audience, which included attendees from the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, was moved and motivated by the many recognitions on stage, and by Ryan Blair’s inspiring speech about how he became Vi’s CEO.
Event highlights included:
Launches of the new Fuel Kit as well as Challenge Mobile for Austria and Germany
National Directors and above signing our Vi Founding Charter (opportunity to sign the Charter extended until the official Vi Germany and Vi Austria launch event)
Celebration of Vi Germany’s First Ambassador Ralf Schönwerth
Regional leaders sharing their stories on stage
Announcement of new PROJECT 10™ Kids partnership
New Overview video and DVD
Reprints of Vi’s published story and expansion news in Netcoo Magazine, a leading
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Herbalife Stock May Rise Over Next Few Days
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Bidness Etc predicts a rise in Herbalife stocks in their article posted today:
Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) is up about over 33.5% since our last Bullish update on the stock in March. The stock is still down about 15.2% year-to-date (YTD) due to persistent concerns regarding its business model and related investigations; however, it has been on an upswing since April as a result of the company’s strong financial performance.
Herbalife’s trust-building initiatives – such as providing a Gold Standard Guarantee and posting testimonials from members and customers on iamherbalife.com – have also helped it make its business model more transparent, thereby boosting investors’ confidence in the company.
Herbalife is already working on reducing its dependence on its multilevel marketing model – the main point of contention with its critics – with new campaigns. It launched “CR7 Driven to Perfection” with Cristiano Ronaldo last month. As part of the campaign, Ronaldo fans from around the world created and posted photos or videos on their Facebook profiles to show how they individually strive for perfection. Ronaldo chose his favorite video from among the submissions and shared it on his official Facebook page.
These new campaigns are expected to engage more members and customers from around the world, reinforce investor confidence, and
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Mary Kay’s Lisa Winton Earns 3rd Car In 6 Years
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Mary Kay Independent Sales Force Member, Lisa Winton, of May, TX, received the keys to a new Cadillac SRX – in customary Mary Kay Pink – in recognition for having achieved Mary Kay’s “Cadillac Level” sales award.
“For more than forty years, the Mary Kay Pink Cadillac has been an iconic symbol of success,” said Rick Newton, sales and leasing professional for the Bruner Auto Group. “As such, it’s the most sought-after prize among Mary Kay’s two-million independent sales force members. Our team here at Bruner Cadillac is honored to play a role in carrying on the tradition of rewarding success, which is what Cadillac is all about.”
Founder Mary Kay Ash was a big believer in rewarding top independent sales force members with cars, dream vacations, diamonds and other lavish items she often referred to as “Cinderella gifts.” Among these, the most iconic and enduring symbol of an independent sales force member’s success is the Mary Kay Pink Cadillac, which was the brainchild of Mary Kay Ash herself back in 1969.
The delivery of Lisa Winton’s prestigious award was accompanied by a brief ceremony, which included the receipt of her all-new Cadillac SRX, complete with a large pink bow on the hood.
“Earning
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Organo Gold Opens New International Headquarters
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Organo Gold, the gourmet coffee company that caters to consumers’ active lifestyles, proudly announced today the opening of its new global headquarters in Richmond, British Columbia. The 26,000 square foot building houses approximately one-third of the company’s global staff.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the Honorable Neil Frank Ferrer, Consul General for the Republic of the Philippines; the Honorable Sutthiluck Sa-ngarmangkang, Consul General for the Republic of Thailand; and Mr. Hyung Suk Lee, Consul Republic of Korea. Canada was equally represented as the Honorable Linda Reid, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and Member for Richmond East joined in the festivities.
“In our first five years we grew from one idea, in a one room office with one employee to the 55th largest network marketing company in the world,” stated Bernardo Chua, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Organo Gold. “We ignited the next generation of direct selling and our new international headquarters is our footprint; our statement that Organo Gold has arrived and will be here for generations to come.”
The 26,000 square foot building boasts an eco-friendly design. Externally, there was an emphasis on natural and organic elements, with many of the materials repurposed from the original building.
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Wor(l)d’s Power Clouds Expands To Japan
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Today has been announced that the JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) approved and welcomed Power Clouds in Japan.
The news has been reported by the prestigious Wall Street Journal:
World Assurance Group, Inc. (OTC Pink: WDAS) today announces that partner company, Power Clouds’ Japanese subsidiary has been approved by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). In addition, WDAS has booked another $300,000 in Q2’14 revenues arising from the license set-up fee for Power Cloud 13 and begins fundraising for Power Cloud 14.
JETRO is a Japanese government funded agency, created by the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Following a rigorous screening process, JETRO has approved and welcomes Power Clouds and supports its innovative business model based on the concept of participation through Power Unit ownership.
The production of electrical energy from Japanese Power Clouds is particularly welcomed as it avoids polluting greenhouse gases derived from the use of the traditional sources of combustibles that are increasingly and more widely used in Japan due to the shutdown of the nuclear plants following the 2011 Great Eastern Earthquake.
Mr Federico Micheli, CEO, Power Clouds Japan C.K., says “We are thankful for the tangible advice and support we have received from JETRO and we look forward to making
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Court Approves Quarterly Costs For Zeek Rewards
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
A United States District Court judge has approved the funds for the receiver handling the Zeek Rewards Ponzi scheme, according to a Monday filing.
Receiver Kenneth Bell and his firm McGuireWoods were awarded an allowance of $756,188.52 for the first quarter of 2014. The money is for fees and expenses by the receiver and his advisers, according to an order approved by Judge Graham C. Mullen.
Of the money, $151,237.70 will be held back pending further petition to and approval by the court. A total of $39,456.02 will cover recover reimbursement expenses, the order stated.
FTI Consulting also will receive $476,334 ($95,266.80 will be held back pending further petition to and approval by the court). The funds are for services rendered during the compensation period. FTI is the forensic accountant and database consultant utilized by Bell. FTI, Bell and his constituents at McGuire Woods make up the “receiver team.” They’ve been working since mid-August 2012 to recover money connected to Zeek Rewards.
Zeek was headquartered in Lexington under the parent entity of Rex Venture Group LLC. In other requests for funding from the court, Bell has said the investigation of an alleged fraud included about two million affiliates and one million investors throughout the
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Nature’s Sunshine To Enter China Through Joint Venture
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Nature’s Sunshine Products has announced plans to enter China in a joint venture with Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma. The agreement outlines a multi-channel approach that places Nature’s Sunshine products in Fosun Pharma retail locations across the country and markets the company’s Synergy brand through a direct selling model.
Fosun Pharma will acquire a 15 percent stake in Nature’s Sunshine in a deal valued at just over $46 million. As a part of the agreement, Nature’s Sunshine will appoint one Fosun Pharma director to its board. The investment in Nature’s Sunshine will also fund a special $1.50 per share cash dividend to be paid out at closing.
The company expects that Nature’s Sunshine Hong Kong will drive long-term growth and become a top market within five years, says Chairman and CEO Gregory L. Probert.
“We view this joint transaction as both a testament to the strength of our existing business as well as Fosun Pharma’s confidence in our ability to establish a substantial business in China,” Probert said in a statement. “It marks a significant step forward in our transformation to a global organization with multiple brands and distribution channels.”
About Nature’s Sunshine Products
Nature’s Sunshine Products (NASDAQ:NATR), a leading natural health and wellness company, markets and distributes
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40 Little Changes to Your MLM Business Blog (For Big Results)
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
GetResponse, the flagship product of Implix, was launched in 1999 by Internet marketing pioneer and entrepreneur Simon Grabowski.
GetResponse Email Marketing is available internationally in 14 languages and serves a growing base of customers, currently 350,000 strong. Their support team recently published these awesome suggestions:
If you have been blogging for your business for a while without seeing any results, you might be thinking, “blogging just doesn’t work in my industry”, “what’s the point if nobody is reading my blog?”, “maybe I should invest more in paid advertising and try to get leads from other avenues”, “blogging is a waste of my time”, “I don’t know how to blog. I suck at blogging.” Let me tell you that blogging works in almost any industry when done right.
Most business bloggers tend to make silly little mistakes when it comes to writing blog posts and creating content, they also don’t promote enough – or they are overly promotional and then wonder why nobody pays attention.
In this post, I am not going to give you the foundation of blogging for business (check out my 4-part Complete Guide to Successful Business Blogging). This would include things like identifying your ideal reader, clarifying your message and