R.S. of Houston Workshop

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

In the Matter of

R.S. of HOUSTON WORKSHOP a company, RONALD J. SCHOEMMELL, individually and as an owner and principal of the company and VALDIMAR THORKELSSON, individually and as an owner and principal of the company.

FILE NO. 002-3024

AGREEMENT CONTAINING CONSENT ORDER

The Federal Trade Commission has conducted an investigation of certain acts and practices of R.S. of Houston Workshop, a company; Ronald J. Schoemmell, individually and as an owner and principal of the company; and Valdimar Thorkelsson, individually and as an owner and principal of the company ("proposed respondents"). Proposed respondents, having been represented by counsel, are willing to enter into an agreement containing a consent order resolving the allegations contained in the attached draft complaint. Therefore,

IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between R.S. of Houston Workshop, a company; Ronald J. Schoemmell, individually and as an owner and principal of the company; and Valdimar Thorkelsson, individually and as an owner and principal of the company, and counsel for the Federal Trade Commission that:

1.a. Proposed respondent R.S. of Houston Workshop is an unincorporated entity, a d/b/a of Valdimar Thorkelsson, who filed a Certificate of Operation Under Assumed Name on November 17, 1997, in Harris County, TX ("company"), with its principal office or place of business at 1419 Diamond Brook Drive, Houston, TX 77062.

1.b. Proposed respondent Ronald J. Schoemmell is a fifty percent owner and principal of the company respondent. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs, or controls the policies, acts, or practices of the company. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of R.S. of Houston Workshop.

1.c. Proposed respondent Valdimar Thorkelsson is a fifty percent owner and principal of the company respondent. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs, or controls the policies, acts, or practices of the company. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of R.S. of Houston Workshop.

2. Proposed respondents admit all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the draft complaint. This agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by proposed respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in the draft complaint, or that the facts as alleged in the draft complaint, other than the jurisdictional facts, are true.

3. Proposed respondents waive:

a. Any further procedural steps;

b. The requirement that the Commission's decision contain a statement of findings of fact and conclusions of law; and

c. All rights to seek judicial review or otherwise to challenge or contest the validity of the order entered pursuant to this agreement.

4. This agreement shall not become part of the public record of the proceeding unless and until it is accepted by the Commission. If this agreement is accepted by the Commission, it, together with the draft complaint, will be placed on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days and information about it publicly released. The Commission thereafter may either withdraw its acceptance of this agreement and so notify proposed respondents, in which event it will take such action as it may consider appropriate, or issue and serve its complaint (in such form as the circumstances may require) and decision in disposition of the proceeding.

5. This agreement contemplates that, if it is accepted by the Commission, and if such acceptance is not subsequently withdrawn by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.34 of the Commission's Rules, the Commission may, without further notice to proposed respondents, (1) issue its complaint corresponding in form and substance with the attached draft complaint and its decision containing the following order in disposition of the proceeding, and (2) make information about it public. When so entered, the order shall have the same force and effect and may be altered, modified, or set aside in the same manner and within the same time provided by statute for other orders. The order shall become final upon service. Delivery of the complaint and decision and order to proposed respondents' address as stated in the agreement by any means specified in Section 4.4 of the Commission's Rules shall constitute service. Proposed respondents waive any right they may have to any other manner of service. The complaint may be used in construing the terms of the order. No agreement, understanding, representation, or interpretation not contained in the order or in the agreement may be used to vary or contradict the terms of the order.

6. Proposed respondents have read the draft complaint and consent order. They understand that they may be liable for civil penalties in the amount provided by law and other appropriate relief for each violation of the order after it becomes final.

ORDER

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply:

1. "Clearly and conspicuously" shall mean as follows:

A. In an advertisement communicated through an electronic medium (such as television, video, radio, and interactive media such as the Internet and online services), the disclosure shall be presented simultaneously in both the audio and visual portions of the advertisement. Provided, however, that in any advertisement presented solely through visual or audio means, the disclosure may be made through the same means in which the ad is presented. The audio disclosure shall be delivered in a volume and cadence sufficient for an ordinary consumer to hear and comprehend it. The visual disclosure shall be of a size and shade, and shall appear on the screen for a duration, sufficient for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it.

B. In a print advertisement, promotional material, or instructional manual, the disclosure shall be in a type size and location sufficiently noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it, in print that contrasts with the background against which it appears.

C. On a product label, the disclosure shall be in a type size and location on the principal display panel sufficiently noticeable for an ordinary consumer to read and comprehend it, in print that contrasts with the background against which it appears.

1. The disclosure shall be in understandable language and syntax. Nothing contrary to, inconsistent with, or in mitigation of the disclosure shall be used in any advertisement or on any label.

2. In the case of advertisements disseminated by means of an interactive electronic medium such as the Internet or other online services, "in close proximity" shall mean on the same Web page and proximate to the triggering representation, and not on other portions of the Web site, accessed or displayed through hyperlinks or other means.

3. "Commerce" shall mean as defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 44.

4. "Trading program" or "trading method" shall mean any program, method, service, course, instruction, system, training, manual, computer software, or other materials involving the purchase or sale of stocks, currencies, commodity futures, options, or other financial instruments or investments.

5. Unless otherwise specified, "respondents" shall mean R.S. of Houston Workshop, a company, its successors and assigns and its officers, owners and principals; Ronald J. Schoemmell, individually and as a fifty percent owner and principal of the company; and Valdimar Thorkelsson, individually and as a fifty percent owner and principal of the company; and each of the above's agents, representatives, and employees.

IT IS ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any company, corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any trading program or trading method, in or affecting commerce, shall not represent, in any manner, expressly or by implication:

A. That users of respondents' trading program or trading method can reasonably expect to earn large profits, or as much as $2,000 to $5,000 per day on some days;

B. That users of respondents' trading program or trading method can reasonably expect to earn profits of $500 to $750 or more per day;

C. That users of respondents' trading program or trading method can reasonably expect to approach trading as a business and earn a consistent living from the markets;

D. That users of respondents' trading program or trading method can reasonably expect to trade in volatile markets with low risk;

E. The amount of earnings, income, or profit that a prospective user could reasonably expect to attain; or

F. Any financial benefit or other benefit of any kind from the purchase or use of such trading program or trading method;

unless respondents possess and rely upon a reasonable basis substantiating the representation at the time it is made.

II.

A. That users of the program or method can reasonably expect to trade with little or no financial risk; or

B. The extent of risk to which users of the program or method are exposed.

III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any company, corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any trading program or trading method, in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, about the financial benefits of such program, unless they disclose, clearly and conspicuously, and in close proximity to the representation,

"DAYTRADING involves high risks and YOU can LOSE a lot of money."

Provided, the disclosure required by this Part is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other disclosure that respondents may be required to make, including but not limited to any disclosure required by state or federal law or by a self-regulatory organization. The requirements of this Part are not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, exempt respondents from making any other disclosure.

IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any company, corporation, subsidiary, division, trade name, or other device, in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any trading program or trading method, in or affecting commerce, shall not represent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that the experience represented by any user, testimonial or endorsement of the trading program or trading method represents the typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who use the trading program or trading method unless:

A. Respondents possess and rely upon a reasonable basis substantiating the representation at the time it is made; or

B. Respondents disclose, clearly and conspicuously, and in close proximity to the endorsement or testimonial, either:

1. what the generally expected results would be for users of the trading program or trading method, or

2. the limited applicability of the endorser's experience to what users may generally expect to achieve, that is, that users should not expect to experience similar results.

For purposes of this Part, "endorsement" shall mean as defined in 16 C.F.R. § 255.0(b).

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent R.S. of Houston Workshop, and its successors and assigns; respondent Ronald J. Schoemmell; and respondent Valdimar Thorkelsson shall, for five (5) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:

A. All advertisements and promotional materials (including packaging) containing the representation;

B. All materials that were relied upon in disseminating the representation; and

C. All tests, reports, studies, surveys, demonstrations, or other evidence in their possession or control that contradict, qualify, or call into question the representation, or the basis relied upon for the representation, including complaints and other communications with consumers or with governmental or consumer protection organizations.

VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent R.S. of Houston Workshop, and its successors and assigns; respondent Ronald J. Schoemmell; and respondent Valdimar Thorkelsson shall deliver a copy of this order to all current and future principals, officers, directors, and managers, and to all current and future employees, agents, and representatives having responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order, and shall secure from each such person a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of the order. Respondents shall deliver this order to current personnel within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order, and to future personnel within thirty (30) days after the person assumes such position or responsibilities. Respondents shall maintain and upon request make available to the Commission for inspection and copying each such signed and dated statement for a period of five (5) years after creation.

VII.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent R.S. of Houston Workshop, and its successors and assigns shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the company that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution of a subsidiary, parent or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the company name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the company about which respondent learns less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge.

VIII.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Ronald J. Schoemmell, for a period of seven (7) years after the date of issuance of this order, shall notify the Commission of the discontinuance of his current business or employment, or of his affiliation with any new business or employment. The notice shall include respondent's new business address and telephone number and a description of the nature of the business or employment and his duties and responsibilities.

IX.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Valdimar Thorkelsson, for a period of seven (7) years after the date of issuance of this order, shall notify the Commission of the discontinuance of his current business or employment, or of his affiliation with any new business or employment. The notice shall include respondent's new business address and telephone number and a description of the nature of the business or employment and his duties and responsibilities.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents R.S. of Houston Workshop, and its successors and assigns; respondent Ronald J. Schoemmell; and respondent Valdimar Thorkelsson shall, within sixty (60) days after the date of service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which they have complied with this order.

XI.

This order will terminate twenty (20) years from the date of its issuance, or twenty (20) years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not effect the duration of:

A. Any Part in this order that terminates in less than twenty (20) years;

B. This order's application to any respondent that is not named as a defendant in such complaint; and

C. This order if such complaint is filed after the order has terminated pursuant to this Part.

Provided further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal.

XII.

All notices required to be sent to the Commission pursuant to this Order shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. ATTN: In the Matter of R.S. of Houston Workshop.

Signed this _________ day of ________________, 2000

R.S. of Houston Workshop

By: _______________________
Ronald J. Schoemmell,
An owner and principal of the company

________________________
Ronald J. Schoemmell, individually
and as an owner and principal of the company

By: _______________________
Valdimar Thorkelsson,
An owner and principal of the company

________________________
Valdimar Thorkelsson,, individually
and as an owner and principal of the company

Robert J. Becerra, Esq.
Raskin & Raskin, P.A.
Grove Forest Plaza - Suite 206
Coconut Grove
2937 Southwest 27^th Avenue
Miami, FL 33133-3772
305-444-3400 (voice)
305-445-0266 (FAX)
Attorney for the respondents

_______________________
Peter Lamberton
Counsel for the
Federal Trade Commission

APPROVED:

____________________
Eileen Harrington
Associate Director
Division of Marketing Practices

____________________
Jodie Bernstein
Director
Bureau of Consumer Protection