Two Washington Ad Firms Sued for Deceptive Practices
The attorney general for the State of Washington, Rob McKenna, has accused two marketing firms of using deceptive advertising and prize promotions to steer consumers to buy cars.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The attorney general for the State of Washington, Rob McKenna, has accused two marketing firms of using deceptive advertising and prize promotions to steer consumers to buy cars.
The
state announced two new lawsuits today as part of an ongoing effort to enforce
fair marketing practices. "We’ve warned dealers and ad firms that they need to make
sure their promotions comply with state laws,” said Assistant Attorney General
Mary Lobdell. “Now we’ve set up a roadblock to stop those businesses that
continue to drive down the wrong side of the legal road.”
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division filed a complaint
today in Pierce County Superior Court accusing Big Ideas Direct LLC, of
Woodinville, and owners Jeffrey Watts and Michael Nealy, both of Snohomish
County, of violating Washington’s consumer protection and prizes/promotions
laws.
State attorneys filed a similar complaint
May 19 in Thurston County Superior Court against Smart Automotive Group LLC, of
Metairie, La.,
and its president, Bernard E. Burst III, of New Orleans.
McKenna's office reached settlements in 2007
and 2008 with three other companies concerning similar allegations. The office
created a Web page at www.atg.wa.gov/dealers.aspx with
tips to help dealers comply with advertising laws.
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