Feds Sue Telemarketing Operation for Fraud

Three telemarketing firms and their owner are being sued by the U.S. Justice Department for running a fraudulent operation that deceived consumers, peddled movies, solicited donations and called more than 16 million numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry.

The Federal Trade Commission, which requested the Justice Department action, charged Forrest S. Baker III and his companies with multiple violations of the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The agency also accused the defendants of lying to consumers about how the proceeds from their purchases and donations would be spent.