By Taivan Acer
For years, an Arizona man sold a supposed weight-loss supplement with no actual health benefits. Kevin Wright broke federal law by making weight-loss claims that were unsupported by clinical data or scientific evidence. His HCG Platinum product, made of a human placenta hormone, did not actually bring about weight loss.
In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged Wright with deceptive advertising. Now, a prominent law firm, Parker Waichman LLP, is organizing a class-action lawsuit against Wright and his company. Thanks to the lawsuit, people who purchased Platinum HCG could earn the compensation they’re entitled to.
FTC Lawsuit Filed Against Promoter of HCG Platinum
The FTC filed its lawsuit against Wright and his company in 2013, two years after warning him that his deceptive marketing tactics were against the law. The FDA Act states that drugs must be accurately labeled, while the FTC Act prohibits weight-loss claims that lack scientific backing. When Wright persisted in his fraudulent marketing, the FTC decided to take decisive action.
After a unanimous vote from the commission’s leadership, the FTC filed its lawsuit in the District of Arizona on October 30, 2013. The lawsuit is in keeping with the FTC’s role as a watchdog organization, ensuring that companies comply with trade laws and regulations.
HCG: A Long History of Fraudulent Marketing
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone that occurs naturally in the human placenta. For decades, fraudsters have claimed that this hormone can help promote weight loss. The FTC and the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) have worked together to combat the onslaught of empty claims and false advertising. The HCG Platinum case is just the latest in a long line of schemes involving the same hormone.
HCG Platinum: A Pack of Lies
Kevin Wright and his two companies, HCG Platinum and Right Way Nutrition, LLC, have long engaged in illegal marketing practices. On their websites and when marketing through mainstream retailers like GNC and Walgreens, these entities have claimed that HCG Platinum’s liquid medications will bring rapid weight loss. Consumers are told to simply put the drops under their tongues before every meal. These supplements, advertisements have claimed, will combine with a low-calorie diet to help the consumer lose significant amounts of weight.
HCG Platinum advertisements often featured endorsers who implied consumers who used the product would lose just as much weight as they had. Presented as promises, these claims are also considered false and unsubstantiated by the FTC.
Kevin Wright and his companies earned more than $13 million selling their products under these pretenses. They gained this veritable fortune by offering HCG Platinum through GNC, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and a branded website. As part of their lawsuit, the FTC demanded the defendants surrender these ill-gotten earnings.
A Class-Action Lawsuit From Parker Waichman LLP
The Parker Waichman LLP law firm, with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, has begun investigating a class-action lawsuit against Kevin Wright and his companies. This lawsuit will give consumers who fell victim to the scheme a chance to affirm their rights and earn the financial compensation they deserve. Class-action lawsuits, which bring multiple victims together into a single effort, are often an effective way to hold powerful miscreants to account. If a judge rules against the defendants or a settlement is reached, the victims will be entitled to their share of the money. In taking up this lawsuit, Parker Waichman LLP will be fighting on behalf of everyone who purchases HCG Platinum. More information is available at https://www.yourlawyer.com/product-liability/hcg-platinum-lawsuit/
Conclusion: Fighting for Consumer Rights
For marketing to be fair and legal, companies must be honest about the potential benefits their products could bring. HCG Platinum lied about their supplements, and now they’re facing the consequences.
