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CREDIT CARD FRAUD LAWSUIT FILED IN ARIZONA FEDERAL COURT
Posted by: Stephen Leshner
July 18, 2011

Apollo Global Management LLCs Trilegiant unit was sued by an Arizona man over claims it conspired to defraud consumers with charges for product loyalty services and membership clubs.

Juan M. Restrepo said in a complaint in federal court in Tucson, Arizona, that he was unaware that Trilegiant charged $10.99 to his Chase MasterCard account each month from May 2007 through to May 2011. Restrepo noticed the monthly charges in April and claims he never authorized the charges, according to the complaint filed July 13.

The charges were virtually unnoticeable because it was embedded in all other ordinary charges that normally escape close scrutiny of the ordinary consumer, according to the complaint, which seeks to represent other customers in a class action, or group lawsuit. Chase Bank USA is also a defendant in the case.

The companies are accused in the lawsuit of racketeering, violating electronic communications privacy laws, violating unfair trade laws and unjustly enriching themselves. Restrepo is seeking a court order barring the companies from continuing the alleged scheme plus unspecified damages.

The case is Restrepo v. Chase Bank USA N.A., 11-cv-00423, U.S. District Court, District of Arizona (Tucson).   Paul M. Weiss of Freed & Weiss, Chicago, IL, assisted by Phoenix, Arizona attorney Steve Leshner, represent  Mr. Restrepo.

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"Hot Coffee" Premieres on HBO on June 27, 2011
Posted by: Stephen Leshner
June 23, 2011

Hot Coffee, a documentary feature film by Susan Saladoff is premiering on June 27 on HBO, which shows how the civil justice system has been under heavy attack for over 25 years.

Despite the fact that federal legislation has never been successful, big business interests have won in the hearts and minds of average people. They launched a public relations campaign starting in the mid 80s and continuing over the last two decades to convince the public that we have out of control juries, too many frivolous lawsuits and a civil justice system that needs reforming.  They have used anecdotes, half truths and sometimes out and out lies in their efforts, for one purpose, to put limits on peoples access to the court system, the one and only place where an average citizen can go toe to toe with those with money and power and still have a shot at justice.

Because of the success of the public relations campaigns, paid for by tobacco, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, to name a few, our civil justice system is not impartial. Jurors have been led to believe that a large verdict will affect their pocketbooks. Voters believe that we have a court system out of control that needs reforming.  Although there are consumer advocacy groups who have attempted to set the story straight, there has yet to be enough money to launch the kind of public relations campaign for consumers that can even begin to combat and challenge the public relations campaigns of pro-business and tort reform groups. Over the last few years, however, documentary films and independent film festivals have become a vehicle for alternative ideas to get a public forum.

Because almost everyone has heard about the McDonalds coffee case, and most people believe they know what it is about, this project has a fascination for people. Of course, we go much further into the debate than just the McDonalds coffee case, but the case is a vehicle for people to think about their long held beliefs and whether they are valid.  We think this movie has the potential, with the right funding and effort, to really change the way people think about our civil justice system and access to the courts.

For more about Hot Coffee, and what you can do to protect and preserve our civil jury system, see http://hotcoffeethemovie.com/takeaction-5/

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