IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, Plaintiff,
v.
WEBVALLEY, INC., a Minnesota Corporation, PROFILE NATIONAL BUSINESS
DIRECTORY, INC., a Minnesota Corporation, PROTEL ADVANTAGE, INC., a Minnesota Corporation,
U.S. PROTEL, INC., a Minnesota Corporation, SATYA P. GARG, individually and as an officer
of WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., and National Business
Directory, Inc. and BLAINE C. CHRISTOFFERSON, individually and as an officer of U.S.
Protel, Inc., and SCOTT D. LEE, individually and as an officer of Protel Advantage, Inc.,
Defendants.
Civil Action No.
[Plaintiff's Proposed]
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER WITH ASSET
FREEZE, ORDER APPOINTING
A TEMPORARY RECEIVER, AND OTHER EQUITABLE
RELIEF
Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission ("Commission"), pursuant to section 13(b)
of the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act"), 15 U.S.C. §§ 53(b), filed a
Complaint for Permanent Injunction and other relief, including consumer redress, and moved
ex parte for a temporary restraining order with asset freeze, appointment of
a temporary receiver, an order permitting expedited discovery, and an order to show cause
why a preliminary injunction should not issue pursuant to Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure.
FINDINGS OF FACT
This Court has considered the Complaint for Permanent Injunction, Motion for an Ex
Parte Temporary Restraining Order and Other Equitable Relief, Memorandum
of Law filed in support thereof, Supporting Exhibits and Attachments, and all other papers
filed herein, and it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that:
- 1. There is good cause to believe that the Court has jurisdiction over the subject
matter of the case, and there is good cause to believe that the Court will have
jurisdiction over the parties.
-
- 2. Venue lies properly with this Court.
-
- 3. There is good cause to believe that Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., have engaged in
and are likely to engage in acts and practices that violate Section 5(a) of the FTC Act,
15 U.S.C. § 45(a), and that the Commission is likely to prevail on the merits of this
action.
-
- 4. There is good cause to believe that immediate and irreparable harm will result from
Defendants' ongoing violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(a), absent
entry of this Order.
-
- 5. There is good cause to believe that immediate and irreparable damage to the Court's
ability to grant effective final relief for consumers in the form of monetary redress will
occur from the sale, transfer, assignment, or other disposition or concealment by
Defendants of their assets and records unless defendants are immediately restrained and
enjoined by Order of this Court.
-
- 6. There is good cause for issuing this Order without prior notice to Defendants of the
Commission's application, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(b).
-
- 7. There is good cause to appoint a temporary receiver for WebValley, Inc., Profile
National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc.,
and Protel Advantage, Inc.
-
- 8. Weighing the equities and considering the Commission's likelihood of success in its
causes of action, this Order is in the public interest.
ORDER
Definitions
1. "Assets" means any legal or equitable interest in, right
to, or claim to, any real and personal property, including, but not limited to, chattel,
goods, instruments, equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, effects, leaseholds, mail or
other deliveries, inventory, checks, notes, accounts, credits, receivables (as those terms
are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), and all cash, wherever located.
3. "Defendants" means Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., and each of them,
by whatever names each might be known by, as well as their successors, assigns, officers,
agents, directors, servants, employees, salespersons, independent contractors, attorneys,
corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates, all other persons or entities directly or
indirectly under their control or under common control with them, and all other persons or
entities in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of this
Order by personal service or otherwise, whether acting directly or through any
corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, including, but not limited to,
fictitious business names.
4. "Document" is synonymous in meaning and equal in scope to
the usage of the term in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 34(a), and includes writings,
drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, audio and video recordings, computer records, and
other data compilations from which information can be obtained and translated, if
necessary, through detection devices into reasonably usable form. A draft or non-identical
copy is a separate document within the meaning of the term.
5. "Domain name" is used in Universal Resource Locators
("URL")to identify particular web pages. The URL is the global address of
documents or other resources on the World Wide Web. For example, in the URL
"http://www.pcwebopedia.com/index.html," the domain name is
"pcwebopedia.com." 6. "Internet" means a worldwide
system of linked computer networks that use a common protocol (TCP/IP) to deliver and
receive information. The "Internet" includes, but is not limited to, the
following forms of electronic communication: file transfers, electronic mail, the World
Wide Web, newsgroups, Internet Relay Chat, audio, and video.
7. "Internet-related Services" means any product or service
that assists persons to access, use, browse, advertise on, communicate through, or do
business on the Internet, including, but not limited to: design, hosting and maintenance
of web pages and web sites, providing Internet access or e-mail accounts, and establishing
domain names and virtual domain names.
8. "Material" means likely to affect a person's choice of,
or conduct regarding, goods or services.
9. "Person" means any individual, group, unincorporated
association, limited or general partnership, corporation, or other business entity.
10. "Receivership Defendants" means WebValley, Inc., Profile
National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc.,
and Protel Advantage, Inc., and each of them, by whatever names each might be known by.
11. "Telemarketers" means any business entities or
individuals selling or soliciting any product or service on behalf of Defendants.
12. "Web page" is a single electronic file or document
displayed on the World Wide Web that includes at least the following elements: copy,
graphics, layout, and internal technical design.
13. "Web site" means a set of electronic documents, usually
a home page and subordinate pages, readily viewable on computer by anyone with access to
the Internet, standard software, and knowledge of the website's location or address.
I. PROHIBITED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that, in connection with the advertising,
promotion, offering for sale, sale or provision of any goods or service, Defendants are
hereby temporarily restrained and enjoined from making or assisting in the making of,
expressly or by implication, orally or in writing, any false or misleading statement or
representation of material fact, including, but not limited to, representations that:
- A. Defendants will not charge consumers for any Internet-related services unless
consumers order these services; and
-
- B. Consumers are legally obligated to pay for any Internet-related services that they or
their agents did not authorize.
II. ASSET FREEZE
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are hereby temporarily
restrained and enjoined from:
- A. Except as otherwise provided herein, transferring, converting, encumbering, selling,
concealing, dissipating, disbursing, assigning, spending, withdrawing, or otherwise
disposing of any funds, property, artwork, coins, precious metals, jewelry, contracts,
shares of stock, or other assets, wherever located, that are (1) owned or controlled by
Defendants, in whole or in part; or (2) in the actual or constructive possession of
Defendants; (3) owned, controlled by, or in the actual or constructive possession of any
entity that is directly or indirectly owned, managed, controlled by, or under common
control with Defendants, including, but not limited to, any assets held by or for
Defendants in any account at any bank or savings and loan institution, or with any
broker-dealer, escrow agent, title company, commodity trading company, precious metal
dealer, or other financial institution of any kind, including, but not limited to, assets
at:
First National Bank of New Richmond
109 E. 2nd St.
New Richmond, WI 55417
Royal Credit Union
419 N. Hastings Pl.
Eau Claire WI 54701
University National Bank of St. Paul
200 University Ave. W.
St. Paul, MN 55103
- B. Opening or causing to be opened any safe deposit boxes or storage facilities titled
in the name of Defendants, or subject to access by Defendants or under their control,
without providing the Commission prior notice and an opportunity to inspect the contents
in order to determine that they contain no assets covered by this Section;
-
- C. Notwithstanding the asset freeze provisions of Paragraphs A-B., above,
Defendants Garg, Lee, and Christofferson may, upon compliance with Section III (Financial
Reports), infra, pay from their individual personal funds reasonable, usual,
ordinary, and necessary living expenses subject to prior written agreement with the
Commission; and
-
- D. The assets affected by this Section shall include both existing assets and assets
acquired after the effective date of this Order, and Defendants shall hold and account for
such property and assets and payments received by them, including, but not limited to,
borrowed property and gifts.
III. FINANCIAL REPORTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., shall each,
within forty-eight (48) hours after entry of this Order, prepare and deliver to counsel
for the Commission a Financial Statement in the form served on them with this Order. A
Financial Statement shall be completed for each Defendant identified above, and for each
business entity under which they conduct business, or of which they are officers, and of
each trust for which they are trustees. The Financial Statements shall be accurate as of
the date of the entry of this Order and shall be verified under oath. The Financial
Statements shall contain the following information:
- A. The nature, location, source, dollar value reasonably estimated if the actual value
is unknown, and any encumbrances, of each asset or piece of property that is owned or held
directly or indirectly, of record or beneficially, by Defendants;
-
- B. All transfers or assignments of assets or property worth $2,500 or more since January
1, 1996, including the name of each transferee or assignee, the nature and value of the
asset or property involved, the date of the assignment or transfer, and the nature and
amount of any consideration provided to the Defendants; and
-
- C. The name and address of each bank, savings and loan institution, credit union,
financial institution, brokerage house, escrow agent, money market or mutual fund, title
company, commodity trading company, common carrier, storage company, trustee, commercial
mail receiving agency, mail holding or forwarding company, or any other person,
partnership, corporation, or legal entity at which Defendants have accounts or safe
deposit boxes, or have had such accounts since January 1, 1996, including any assets held
in foreign countries, and the amounts within those accounts.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that named defendants shall each, within
forty-eight (48) hours after entry of this Order, provide the Commission access to records
and documents pertaining to named defendants that are held by financial institutions
outside the territory of the United States by signing the Consent to Release of Financial
Records attached to this Order as Attachment A.
IV. APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that __________________________ is appointed
Temporary Receiver for WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc.,
National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc.,
(Receivership Defendants) and any affiliates or subsidiaries controlled by the
Receivership Defendants, with the full power of an equity receiver. The Temporary Receiver
shall be the agent of this Court and solely the agent of this Court in acting as receiver
under this Order. The Temporary Receiver shall be accountable directly to this Court. The
Temporary Receiver shall comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
V. RECEIVERSHIP DUTIES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Temporary Receiver is directed and
authorized to accomplish the following:
- A. Assume full control of the Receivership Defendants by removing, as the Temporary
Receiver deems necessary or advisable, any director, officer, independent contractor,
employee, or agent of any of the Receivership Defendants, including any Defendant, from
control of, management of, or participation in, the affairs of the Receivership
Defendants;
-
- B. Take exclusive custody, control and possession of all assets and documents of, or in
the possession, custody, or under the control of, the Receivership Defendants, wherever
situated. The Temporary Receiver shall have full power to divert mail and to sue for,
collect, receive, take in possession, hold, and manage all assets and documents of the
Receivership Defendants and other persons or entities whose interests are now held by or
under the direction, possession, custody, or control of the Receivership Defendants.
Provided, however, the Temporary Receiver shall not attempt to collect any amount from a
consumer if the Temporary Receiver believes the consumer was a victim of the unfair or
deceptive acts or practices alleged in the Complaint in this matter;
-
- C. Take all steps necessary to secure the business premises of the Receivership
Defendants, including, but not limited to, all such premises located at:
1011 1st Street S.
Suites 203 & 370
Hopkins, MN 55343
1821 University Avenue W.
St. Paul, MN 55104
1144 Larpenteur Avenue W.
St. Paul, MN 55113
202 Eau Claire Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
215 S. Knowles
New Richmond, WI 54017
340 Highway 10 S.
St. Cloud, MN 56304
- Such steps may include, but are not limited to, the following as the Temporary Receiver
deems necessary or advisable: (1) serving and filing this Order; (2) completing a written
inventory of all assets of the Receivership Defendants; (3) obtaining pertinent
information from all employees and other agents of the Receivership Defendants, including,
but not limited to, the name, home address, social security number, job description,
method of compensation, and all accrued and unpaid commissions and compensation of each
such employee or agent; (4) video taping all portions of the location; (5) securing the
location by changing the locks and disconnecting any computer modems or other means of
access to the computer or other records maintained at that location; or (6) requiring any
persons present on the premises at the time this Order is served to leave the premises, to
provide the Temporary Receiver with proof of identification, or to demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Temporary Receiver that such persons are not removing from the
premises documents or assets of the Receivership Defendants;
-
- D. Conserve, hold, and manage all assets of the Receivership Defendants, and perform all
acts necessary or advisable to preserve the value of those assets in order to prevent any
irreparable loss, damage, or injury to consumers or creditors of the Receivership
Defendants, including, but not limited to, obtaining an accounting of the assets and
preventing transfer, withdrawal, or misapplication of assets;
- E. Enter into contracts and purchase insurance as advisable or necessary;
- F. Prevent the inequitable distribution of assets and to determine, adjust, and protect
the interests of consumers and creditors who have transacted business with the
Receivership Defendants;
-
- G. Manage and administer the business of the Receivership Defendants until further order
of this Court by performing all incidental acts that the Temporary Receiver deems to be
advisable or necessary, which includes retaining, hiring, or dismissing any employees,
independent contractors, or agents;
-
- H. Choose, engage, and employ attorneys, accountants, appraisers, and other independent
contractors and technical specialists, as the Temporary Receiver deems advisable or
necessary in the performance of duties and responsibilities under the authority granted by
this Order;
-
- I. Make payments and disbursements from the receivership estate that are necessary or
advisable for carrying out the directions of, or exercising the authority granted by, this
Order. The Temporary Receiver shall apply to the Court for prior approval of any payment
of any debt or obligation incurred by the Receivership Defendants prior to the date of
entry of this Order, except payments that the Temporary Receiver deems necessary or
advisable to secure assets of the Receivership Defendants, such as rental payments;
-
- J. Determine and implement the manner in which the Receivership Defendants will comply
with, and prevent violations of, this Order and all other applicable laws, including, but
not limited to, revising sales materials and implementing monitoring procedures;
-
- K. Institute, compromise, adjust, appear in, intervene in, or become party to such
actions or proceedings in state, federal or foreign courts that the Temporary Receiver
deems necessary and advisable to preserve or recover the assets of the Receivership
Defendants, or that the Temporary Receiver deems necessary and advisable to carry out the
Temporary Receiver's mandate under this Order;
-
- L. Defend, compromise, adjust, or otherwise dispose of any or all actions or proceedings
instituted in the past or in the future against the Temporary Receiver in his role as
Temporary Receiver, or against the Receivership Defendants that the Temporary Receiver
deems necessary and advisable to preserve the assets of the Receivership Defendants or
that the Temporary Receiver deems necessary and advisable to carry out the Temporary
Receiver's mandate under this Order;
-
- M. Continue to conduct the business of the Receivership Defendants in such manner, to
such extent, and for such duration as the Temporary Receiver may in good faith deem to be
necessary or appropriate to operate the businesses profitably and lawfully, if at all;
provided, however, that the continuation and conduct of the business shall be conditioned
upon the Temporary Receiver's good faith determination that the businesses can be lawfully
operated at a profit using the assets of the receivership estate;
-
- N. Issue subpoenas to obtain documents and records pertaining to the receivership, and
conduct discovery in this action on behalf of the receivership estate;
-
- O. Open one or more bank accounts in the District of Minnesota as designated
depositories for funds of the Receivership Defendants. The Temporary Receiver shall
deposit all funds of the Receivership Defendants in such a designated account and shall
make all payments and disbursements from the receivership estate from such an account;
-
- P. Maintain accurate records of all receipts and expenditures that he makes as Temporary
Receiver; and
-
- Q. Cooperate with reasonable requests for information or assistance from any state or
federal law enforcement agency.
VI. COOPERATION WITH THE TEMPORARY RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants shall fully cooperate with and
assist the Temporary Receiver. Defendants' cooperation and assistance shall include, but
not be limited to, providing information to the Temporary Receiver that the Temporary
Receiver deems necessary to exercising the authority and discharging the responsibilities
of the Temporary Receiver under this Order; providing any password required to access any
computer, electronic file, or telephonic data in any medium; or advising all persons who
owe money to the Receivership Defendants that all debts should be paid directly to the
Temporary Receiver. Defendants are hereby restrained and enjoined from directly or
indirectly:
- A. Transacting any of the business of the Receivership Defendants;
-
- B. Destroying, secreting, defacing, transferring, or otherwise altering or disposing of
any documents of the Receivership Defendants, including, but not limited to, books,
records, accounts, writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, audio and video
recordings, computer records, and other data compilations, electronically-stored records,
or any other papers of any kind or nature;
-
- C. Transferring, receiving, altering, selling, encumbering, pledging, assigning,
liquidating, or otherwise disposing of any assets owned, controlled, or in the possession
or custody of, or in which an interest is held or claimed by, the Receivership Defendants,
or the Temporary Receiver;
-
- D. Excusing debts owed to the Receivership Defendants;
-
- E. Failing to notify the Temporary Receiver of any asset, including accounts, of a
receivership defendant held in any name other than the name of the receivership defendant,
or by any person or entity other than the receivership defendant, or failing to provide
any assistance or information requested by the Temporary Receiver in connection with
obtaining possession, custody, or control of such assets;
-
- F. Doing any act or refraining from any act whatsoever to interfere with the Temporary
Receiver's taking custody, control, possession, or managing of the assets or documents
subject to this receivership; or to harass or interfere with the Temporary Receiver in any
way; or to interfere in any manner with the exclusive jurisdiction of this Court over the
assets or documents of the Receivership Defendants; or to refuse to cooperate with the
Temporary Receiver or the Temporary Receiver's duly authorized agents in the exercise of
their duties or authority under any order of this Court; or
-
- G. Filing, or causing to be filed, any petition on behalf of the Receivership Defendants
for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.,
without prior permission from this Court.
VII. DELIVERY OF RECEIVERSHIP PROPERTY
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
- A. Immediately upon service of this Order upon them, or within such period as may be
permitted by the Temporary Receiver, Defendants or any other person or entity shall
transfer or deliver possession, custody, and control of the following to the Temporary
Receiver:
1. All assets of the Receivership Defendants;
2. All documents of the Receivership Defendants, including, but not limited to, books
and records of accounts, all financial and accounting records, balance sheets, income
statements, bank records (including monthly statements, canceled checks, records of wire
transfers, and check registers), client lists, title documents and other papers;
3. All assets belonging to members of the public now held by the Receivership
Defendants; and
4. All keys and codes necessary to gain or to secure access to any assets or documents
of the Receivership Defendants, including, but not limited to, access to their business
premises, means of communication, accounts, computer systems, or other property.
- B. In the event any person or entity fails to deliver or transfer any asset or otherwise
fails to comply with any provision of this Paragraph, the Temporary Receiver may file ex
parte an Affidavit of Non-Compliance regarding the failure. Upon filing of the
affidavit, the Court may authorize, without additional process or demand, Writs of
Possession or Sequestration or other equitable writs requested by the Temporary Receiver.
The writs shall authorize and direct the United States Marshal or any sheriff or deputy
sheriff of any county, or any other federal or state law enforcement officer, to seize the
asset, document, or other thing and to deliver it to the Temporary Receiver.
VIII. TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE TEMPORARY
RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, upon service of a copy of this Order, all
banks, broker-dealers, savings and loans, escrow agents, title companies, commodity
trading companies, or other financial institutions shall cooperate with all reasonable
requests of the Temporary Receiver relating to implementation of this Order, including
transferring funds at his direction and producing records related to the assets of the
Receivership Defendants.
IX. STAY OF ACTIONS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
- A. Except by leave of this Court, during pendency of the receivership ordered herein,
Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National
Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel
Advantage, Inc., and all other persons and entities be and hereby are stayed from taking
any action to establish or enforce any claim, right, or interest for, against, on behalf
of, in, or in the name of, any of the Receivership Defendants, any of their subsidiaries,
affiliates, partnerships, assets, documents, or the Temporary Receiver or the Temporary
Receiver's duly authorized agents acting in their capacities as such, including, but not
limited to, the following actions:
1. Commencing, prosecuting, continuing, entering, or enforcing any suit or proceeding,
except that such actions may be filed to toll any applicable statute of limitations;
2. Accelerating the due date of any obligation or claimed obligation; filing or
enforcing any lien; taking or attempting to take possession, custody, or control of any
asset; attempting to foreclose, forfeit, alter, or terminate any interest in any asset,
whether such acts are part of a judicial proceeding, are acts of self-help, or otherwise;
3. Executing, issuing, serving, or causing the execution, issuance or service of, any
legal process, including, but not limited to, attachments, garnishments, subpoenas, writs
of replevin, writs of execution, or any other form of process whether specified in this
Order or not; or
4. Doing any act or thing whatsoever to interfere with the Temporary Receiver taking
custody, control, possession, or management of the assets or documents subject to this
receivership, or to harass or interfere with the Temporary Receiver in any way, or to
interfere in any manner with the exclusive jurisdiction of this Court over the assets or
documents of the Receivership Defendants.
- B. This paragraph does not stay:
1. The commencement or continuation of a criminal action or proceeding;
2. The commencement or continuation of an action or proceeding by a federal, state or
local governmental unit to enforce such governmental unit's police or regulatory power;
3. The enforcement of a judgment, other than a money judgment, obtained in an action or
proceeding by a governmental unit to enforce such governmental unit's police or regulatory
power;
4. The commencement of any action by the Secretary of the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development to foreclose a mortgage or deed of trust in any case in
which the mortgage or deed of trust held by the Secretary is insured or was formerly
insured under the National Housing Act and covers property, or combinations of property,
consisting of five or more living units; or
5. The issuance to a Receivership Defendant of a notice of tax deficiency.
- C. Except as otherwise provided in this Order, all persons and entities in need of
documentation from the Temporary Receiver shall in all instances first attempt to secure
such information by submitting a formal written request to the Temporary Receiver, and, if
such request has not been responded to within thirty (30) days of receipt by the Temporary
Receiver, any such person or entity may thereafter seek an Order of this Court with regard
to the relief requested.
X. COMPENSATION OF TEMPORARY RECEIVER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Temporary Receiver and all personnel
hired by the Temporary Receiver as herein authorized, including counsel to the Temporary
Receiver and accountants, are entitled to reasonable compensation for the performance of
duties pursuant to this Order and for the cost of actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by them, from the assets now held by or in the possession or control of or which may be
received by the Receivership Defendants. The Temporary Receiver shall file with the Court
and serve on the parties periodic requests for the payment of such reasonable
compensation, with the first such request filed no more than sixty (60) days after the
date of this Order. The Temporary Receiver shall not increase the hourly rates used as the
bases for such fee applications without prior approval of the Court.
XI. TEMPORARY RECEIVER'S BOND
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Temporary Receiver shall file with the
Clerk of this Court a bond in the sum of ____________ with sureties to be approved by the
Court, conditioned that the Temporary Receiver will well and truly perform the duties of
the office and abide by and perform all acts the Court directs.
XII. ACCESS TO DEFENDANTS' BUSINESS PREMISES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Temporary Receiver shall allow the
Commission's representatives, agents, and assistants, as well as Satya P. Garg, Scott D.
Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc.,
National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., and
their representatives, reasonable access to the premises of the Receivership Defendants,
including, but not limited to, all such premises at:
1011 1st Street S.
Suites 203 & 370
Hopkins, MN 55343
1821 University Avenue W.
St. Paul, MN 55104
1144 Larpenteur Avenue W.
St. Paul, MN 55113
202 Eau Claire Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
215 S. Knowles
New Richmond, WI 54017
340 Highway 10 S.
St. Cloud, MN 56304
The purpose of this access shall be to inspect and copy any and all books, records,
accounts, and other property owned by or in the possession of the Receivership Defendants.
The Temporary Receiver shall have the discretion to determine the time, manner, and
reasonable conditions of such access.
XIII. PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are hereby temporarily
restrained and enjoined from destroying, erasing, mutilating, concealing, altering,
transferring, or otherwise disposing of, in any manner, directly or indirectly, any
documents that relate to the business practices or business or personal finances of
Defendants; to the business practices or finances of entities directly or indirectly under
the control of Defendants; or to the business practices or finances of entities directly
or indirectly under common control with any of the Defendants.
XIV. RECORD KEEPING/BUSINESS OPERATIONS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are each hereby temporarily
restrained and enjoined from:
- A. Failing to create and maintain documents that, in reasonable detail, accurately,
fairly, and completely reflect their incomes, disbursements, transactions, and use of
money, beginning as of the time of effective service of this Order; and
-
- B. Creating, operating, or exercising any control over any business entity, including
any partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship or corporation,
without first providing the Commission with a written statement disclosing: (1) the name
of the business entity; (2) the address and telephone number of the business entity; (3)
the names of the business entity's officers, directors, principals, managers and
employees; and (4) a detailed description of the business entity's intended activities.
XV. REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION OF ORDER BY DEFENDANTS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., shall immediately
provide a copy of this Order to each of their affiliates, partners, divisions, sales
entities, successors, assigns, employees, independent contractors, agents, attorneys, and
representatives, and shall, within ten (10) days from the date of entry of this Order,
serve upon counsel for the Commission a sworn statement that they have complied with this
provision of the Order, which statement shall include the names and addresses of each such
person or entity who received a copy of the Order.
XVI. SERVICE OF ORDER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that copies of this Order may be served by first
class mail, overnight delivery, facsimile, or personally, by agents or employees of the
Commission or the Temporary Receiver, upon any bank, savings and loan institution, credit
union, financial institution, brokerage house, escrow agent, money market or mutual fund,
title company, commodity trading company, third-party billing aggregator, common carrier,
storage company, trustee, commercial mail receiving agency, mail holding or forwarding
company, or any other person, partnership, corporation, or legal entity that may be in
possession of any records, assets, property, or property right of any Defendant, and any
Internet service provider or other person, partnership, corporation, or legal entity that
may be subject to any provision of this Order. For purposes of service on anyone in
possession of records, assets, property, or property rights, actual notice of this Order
shall be deemed complete upon notification by any means, including, but not limited to,
notice from service by facsimile transmission of Sections II, IV-VIII, XVI, XVIII, XX-XXI,
and the final page of this Order, provided that notice is followed within five business
days by delivery of a complete copy of this Order.
The Commission's agents or employees may serve this Order upon any defendant or person
that may be subject to any provision of this Order by serving a copy by first class mail,
overnight delivery, facsimile, or personally.
XVII. UNITED STATES MARSHALS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, on or around Thursday, July 15, 1999, the United States
Marshals shall assist in serving this Order and all accompanying papers on Satya P. Garg,
Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business
Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel
Advantage, Inc., or their authorized agents, who may be found at Defendants' business
premises.
XVIII. CONSUMER CREDIT REPORT
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that pursuant to Section 604(a)(1) of the Fair
Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(a)(1), any consumer reporting agency served with
this Order shall promptly furnish consumer reports concerning Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee,
and Blaine C. Christofferson to counsel for the Commission.
XIX. RETENTION OF ASSETS AND RECORDS
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, effective immediately upon notification of
this Order, and pending determination of the Commission's request for a preliminary
injunction, any bank, savings and loan institution, credit union, financial institution,
brokerage house, escrow agent, money market or mutual fund, title company, commodity
trading company, common carrier, storage company, trustee, commercial mail receiving
agency, mail holding or forwarding company, or any other person, partnership, corporation,
or legal entity, business entity, or person that holds, controls or maintains custody of
any account or asset belonging to or titled in the name of Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee,
Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc.,
National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., or Protel Advantage, Inc., or
belonging to or titled in the name of any corporation, partnership, or other entity
directly or indirectly owned, managed, or controlled by, or under common control with
them, or to which they are a signatory, or which is held on behalf of, or for the benefit
of, Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile
National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc.,
or Protel Advantage, Inc., individually or jointly, or that has held, controlled or
maintained custody of any such account or asset at any time since January 1, 1996, shall:
- A. Prohibit Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc.,
Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel,
Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., and their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and
all persons or entities directly or indirectly under their control or under common control
with them, from withdrawing, removing, assigning, transferring, pledging, encumbering,
disbursing, dissipating, converting, selling, or otherwise disposing of any such account
or asset except:
1. As directed by further order of the Court; or
2. By written agreement of the Commission and the parties claiming an interest in such
account or asset;
- B. Maintain the status quo of any such account or asset and shall not withdraw, remove,
assign, transfer, pledge, encumber, disburse, dissipate, convert, sell, or otherwise
dispose of any such account or asset except:
1. As directed by further order of the Court; or
2. By written agreement of the Commission and the parties claiming an interest in such
account or asset;
- C. Deny Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile
National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc.,
and Protel Advantage, Inc., and their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all
persons or entities directly or indirectly under their control or under common control
with them, unless accompanied by counsel for the Commission, access to any safe deposit
box that is:
1. Titled in the name of Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson,
WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory,
Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., or Protel Advantage, Inc., or their affiliates or subsidiaries,
either individually or jointly; or
2. Otherwise subject to access by Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., or Protel Advantage, Inc., or their
affiliates;
- D. Provide counsel for the Commission within five (5) business days of receiving a copy
of this Order, a sworn statement setting forth:
-
1. The identification number of each such account or asset belonging to or titled in
the name of any Named Defendant or to which Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., or Protel Advantage, Inc., is a signatory, or
which is held on behalf of, or for the benefit of, them;
2. The balance of each such account, or a description of the nature and value of such
asset as of the time this Order is served, and, if any asset valued at over $1,000 has
been removed or transferred within the last ninety (90) days, the date removed or
transferred, the total funds removed or transferred, and the name of the person or entity
to whom such account or other asset was remitted;
3. The identification of any safe deposit box that is titled in the name, individually
or jointly, of Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc.,
Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel,
Inc., or Protel Advantage, Inc., or is otherwise subject to access by them; and
- E. Upon the Commission's request, promptly provide the Commission with copies of all
records or other documentation pertaining to such account or asset, including without
limitation originals or copies of account applications, account statements, signature
cards, checks, drafts, deposit tickets, transfers to and from the accounts, all other
debit and credit instruments or slips, currency transaction reports, 1099 forms, and safe
deposit box logs.
XX. EXPEDITED DISCOVERY
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure Rules 30(a), 31(a), 34, and 45, the Commission and the Temporary Receiver are
granted leave, at any time after service of this Order:
- A. To take the deposition, including depositions upon written notice on forty-eight (48)
hours' notice, of any person, whether or not a party, for the purpose of discovering the
nature, location, status, and extent of the assets of Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine
C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc.; the nature and
location of documents reflecting the business transactions of Defendants; the whereabouts
of Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile
National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc.,
and Protel Advantage, Inc.; and the applicability of any evidentiary privileges to this
action. The limitations and conditions set forth in Fed.R.Civ.P. 30(a)(2)(B) and
31(a)(2)(B) regarding subsequent depositions of an individual shall not apply to
depositions taken pursuant to this Paragraph. Any such depositions taken pursuant to this
Paragraph shall not be counted toward the ten-deposition limit set forth in Fed.R.Civ.P.
30(a)(2)(A) and 31(a)(2)(A). Service of discovery upon a party, taken pursuant to this
paragraph, shall be sufficient if made by facsimile or by overnight delivery; and
-
- B. To demand the production of documents, on five (5) days' notice, from any person,
whether or not a party, relating to the nature, status, or extent of the assets of Satya
P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National
Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel
Advantage, Inc., or of their affiliates or subsidiaries; the location of documents
reflecting the business transactions of Defendants; the whereabouts of Satya P. Garg,
Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business
Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel
Advantage, Inc.; and the applicability of any evidentiary privileges to this action,
provided that twenty four (24) hours' notice shall be deemed sufficient for the production
of any such documents that are maintained or stored as electronic data.
XXI. DURATION OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Temporary Restraining Order granted
herein shall expire on _________________________, 1999, unless within such time, the
Order, for good cause shown, is extended for an additional period not to exceed ten days,
or unless it is further extended with the consent of the parties.
XXII. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE REGARDING PRELIMINARY
INJUNCTION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 65(b), Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc.,
Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel,
Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., shall appear before this Court, on the _____ day of
_______________, 1999, at __________ o'clock ___.m., on the _______ floor of the
_________________ Federal Courthouse located at:
_________
708 Federal Building
316 North Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
or
_________
202 U.S. Courthouse
300 South Fourth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
to show cause, if there is any, why this Court should not enter a preliminary
injunction, pending final ruling on the Complaint against Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee,
Blaine C. Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc.,
National Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc.,
enjoining them from further violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(a),
continuing the freeze of their assets, continuing the temporary receivership, and imposing
such additional relief as may be appropriate.
XXIII. SERVICE OF AFFIDAVITS, MEMORANDA, AND
OTHER EVIDENCE
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Satya P. Garg, Scott D. Lee, Blaine C.
Christofferson, WebValley, Inc., Profile National Business Directory, Inc., National
Business Directory, Inc., U.S. Protel, Inc., and Protel Advantage, Inc., in responding to
this Court's Order to Show Cause, shall serve all memoranda, affidavits, and other
evidence on which they intend to rely not later than 4:00 p.m. of the fourth business day
prior to the preliminary injunction hearing set in this matter. Service on the Commission
shall be performed by personal delivery, or confirmed facsimile delivery, to Evan Siegel,
Esq. at Federal Trade Commission, 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 1860, Chicago, Illinois
60603,(312) 960-5600 or (312) 960-5605 (fax numbers). The Commission may serve and file a
supplemental memorandum of points and authorities based on evidence discovered subsequent
to the filing of its Complaint by no later than 4:00 p.m. of the fourth business day prior
to the preliminary injunction hearing, and may serve and file a reply to Defendants'
opposition by no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day prior to the preliminary injunction
hearing.
XIV. WITNESS IDENTIFICATION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if any party to this action intends to
present the testimony of any witness at the hearing on a preliminary injunction, that
party shall, at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the scheduled date and time of the
hearing, file with this Court and serve on all other parties, a statement disclosing the
name, address, and telephone number of any such witness, and either a summary of the
witness's expected testimony, or the witness's sworn declaration revealing the substance
of such witness's expected testimony. Service on the Commission shall be performed by
personal delivery, or confirmed facsimile delivery, to Evan Siegel, Esq. at Federal Trade
Commission, 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 1860, Chicago, Illinois 60603,(312) 960-5600 or
(312) 960-5605 (fax numbers).
XXV. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court shall retain jurisdiction of
this matter for all purposes.
No security is required of any agency of the United States for the issuance of a
restraining order. Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(c).
SO ORDERED, this _____ day of __________________, 1999, at ____.m.
__________________________________
United States District Judge |