Canadian telemarketer agrees to fine, discontinue U.S. calls
BY DREW SMITH
William Sorrell (D)
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) -- Canadian telemarketer Wolfgang Loss-Wells has agreed to a lifetime ban on telemarketing in the United States and to pay $20,000 in penalties.
The Montreal, Quebec-based man agreed to the settlement with Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell after it was found that his company -- Callcom -- made fraudulent officers of assistance to consumers in obtaining government loans.
The investigation was a result of a case filed in 2006 against Williamstown-based A&S Collection Associates, Inc. Sorrell claimed the company was printing demand drafts on behalf of Callcom without written authorization from consumers, a violation of Vermont law.
Loss-Wells and Callcom were then added as defendants in the case.
Callcom charged $300 to 360 U.S. consumers for allegedly assisting them in obtaining government grants. Of the $107,000 charged, $61,000 was credited back to the consumers while the remainder was returned following a 2005 court-ordered freeze of funds.
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A roundtable of federal and state judges from across the country will convene at the posh Ritz Carlton on Feb. 9 to address topics such as "Can MDL's keep up with state court trial settings;" "Priority of deposition examination;" "State and federal cooperation;" and "Forum non conveniens."
