Attorney General's News Release

March 13, 2007

Judge orders Imperial couple to pay $10,000 for consumer restitution, $14,000 to the state in order obtained by Nixon

Hillsboro, Mo.— An Imperial couple has been permanently barred from the advertising business in Missouri and ordered to pay more than $24,000 after a Jefferson County judge found they defrauded several small businesses by selling them Internet advertising based on false guarantees.

Circuit Judge Robert Wilkins ordered Vickie and Jonathan Nash, who do business as Salez-4-U Advertising Service, to pay $10,758 in restitution to nine consumers who paid the Nashes as much as $4,900 for the services. The couple also must pay $9,000 in civil penalties to the state and $5,000 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund.

Attorney General Jay Nixon took legal action against the Nashes in January, alleging they guaranteed small businesses that their Internet advertising would generate a specific number of paid customers to the businesses' Web sites, or the businesses would receive refunds. Nixon said the guaranteed business did not materialize, but that the Nashes did not provide refunds as promised and also avoided their customers by changing Web addresses and telephone numbers.

The permanent injunction signed on March 9 also permanently prohibits both of the Nashes from advertising, offering for sale, or selling advertising within Missouri, and from personally accepting funds from any individual consumer in any commercial context whatsoever. A freeze on two of the defendants' bank accounts will remain in effect until the entire judgment is paid.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818