In an opinion and orderissued in October, the Commission ruled that Traffic Jam Events, Inc. and its owner, David J. Jeansonne, II, violated both the FTC Act and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Commission concluded the company's practices were deceptive and unfair to consumers in multiple ways.

The Commission found that the company sent numerous misleading mailings to entice consumers to auto sales sites by suggesting that these sites were affiliated with a government COVID-19 stimulus program when in fact the sales were not part of any such program. The mailers included lines like "IMPORTANT COVID-19 ECONOMIC STIMULUS DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED," displayed the likeness of the Great Seal of the United States and contained a mock check, labeled "Stimulus Relief Program."

Read the FTC press release

• Aaron H. Jacoby

  Los Angeles Managing Partner