Announced Actions for January 14, 2005

The Commission has approved a petition for proposed divestiture received from General Electric Company (GE) and related to the FTC decision and order regarding GE’s acquisition of InVision Technologies (InVision). Under the terms of the order, within six months of the execution date the consent agreement, GE must divest its “X-Ray Nondestructive Technology (NDT) Business,” as that term is defined in the order, to a Commission-approved buyer. In its petition, GE requested approval to divest the X-ray NDT Business to Andlinger & Company, Inc. (Andlinger). By a vote of 3-0-2, with Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour recused and Commissioner Jon Leibowitz not participating, the Commission has approved the proposed divestiture to Andlinger. (FTC File No. 041-0106, Docket No. C-4119; the staff contact is Sean Dillon, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-3575; see press releases dated September 15, October 29, and November 2, 2004.)

The Commission has authorized staff to move to dismiss one defendant in the court matter currently pending against Call Center Express Corporation. The complaint in this matter was filed in September 2004, as part of the FTC’s continuing enforcement against alleged frauds targeting the Hispanic community. Through this action, the Commission has sought to dismiss defendant Julio Cesar Sandoval from the complaint. The Commission vote to move to dismiss the defendant was 5-0. (FTC File No. X040078; the staff contact is Jessica D. Gray, FTC Southeast Region, 404-656-1350; see press release issued on October 6, 2004.)

Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning White Sands Health Care System, LLC. The Commission vote approving the final consent order and authorizing staff to respond to the commentor of record was 5-0. (FTC File No. 031-0135; the staff contact is Steve Vieux, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2306; see press release dated September 28, 2004.)

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish (bilingual counselors are available to take complaints), or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to thousands of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.