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FTC Chair Lina Khan to speak at TechCrunch event in Washington, D.C
Antitrust

Chair Lina M. Khan will participate in a moderated conversation at the TechCrunch Strictly VC event in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 2024. Videos of the event will be available the following day on TechCrunch's YouTube channel.


FTC Chair to speak at American Constitution Society Annual Conference
Antitrust

Chair Lina M. Khan will deliver the opening plenary comments at the American Constitution Society Annual Conference 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will take place at the Westin Peachtree Plaza.


FTC approves changes to horseracing racetrack safety rule
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an order approving a proposed modification from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to its Racetrack Safety Rule. The modification includes changes aimed at improving racetrack safety and enhancing the welfare of both horses and individuals involved in horseraces.


FTC issues $2.4 million refunds over deceptive business coaching scheme
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $2.4 million in refunds to consumers who were misled by Lurn’s business consulting programs. The FTC filed a lawsuit against Lurn in September 2023, accusing the online business coaching company of making unsubstantiated claims to sell its various money-making programs.


FTC amends amplifier rule to enhance consumer comparison of home entertainment products
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued final amendments to its Amplifier Rule, aimed at aiding consumers in making direct comparisons of home entertainment amplifiers. The Amplifier Rule, which regulates power output claims for these devices, was initially enacted by the FTC in 1974 to address misleading advertisements and testing methods. It was last reviewed in 2008.


Lina M. Khan to speak at 2024 CNBC CEO Summit
Antitrust

Chair Lina M. Khan will participate in a fireside chat at the 2024 CNBC CEO Summit, scheduled to take place at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC.


Commissioner Holyoak speaks at CEI Summit in Edinburgh
Antitrust

Commissioner Melissa Holyoak served as the keynote speaker at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) Summit in Edinburgh. The event, held at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's Greyfriars Hall, featured discussions titled "Rediscovering Adam Smith: An Inquiry into the Rule of Law, Competition, and the Federal Trade Commission" and "Leadership in Tumultuous Times at The Federal Trade Commission."


Honduran national Maria Mendoza-Mendoza sentenced to 10 years in prison for migrant smuggling operation
Antitrust

Maria Mendoza-Mendoza, the leader of a migrant smuggling operation, was indicted in 2018 and pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit on January 24.


FTC and SSA host workshop to help seniors fight fraud
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Social Security Administration are organizing a virtual workshop on May 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. This event is part of the ongoing celebration of Older Americans Month and aims to educate seniors on identifying and combating fraud.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents  seize 29 pounds of fentanyl on I-10
Antitrust

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested one woman and seized 29 pounds of fentanyl in a stop on May 15. The incident occurred near Golf Center Parkway on Interstate 10 in California.


Man wanted for sexual assault of a child apprehended by Customs and Border Protection officers in Laredo
Antitrust

Border patrol officers at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge apprehended a U.S. citizen last week after discovering the man was wanted on felony charges of sexual assault of a child. He was handed over to Laredo Police for processing and adjudication of the warrant.


Aldi executive pleads guilty in construction bid-rigging scheme
Antitrust

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A former Aldi executive and a general contractor from Breese, Illinois, have admitted guilt to federal fraud offenses involving rigging the bid system for construction projects of grocery stores throughout southern Illinois and Missouri.


FTC provides annual update on financial acts enforcement activities
Antitrust

The staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided its annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on its enforcement and related activities in 2023 concerning the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Consumer Leasing Act (CLA), and Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA).


Georgia Congressman on ex-federal agent detained in Nigeria: 'our duty is to dedicate every possible resource to ensure his safe and expedient return home'
Antitrust

Congressman Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) has asserted that the US government should "dedicate every possible resource" to ensure the safe return of Tigran Gambaryan, a constituent who has been held by the Nigerian government since February 26. McCormick made this statement during an April 30 House Foreign Affairs Committee roundtable on Americans detained abroad.


FTC report identifies top companies targeted by scam impersonators in 2023
Antitrust

New data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reveals that Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal are the companies most frequently impersonated by scammers. According to a newly released data spotlight, consumers in 2023 submitted approximately 52,000 reports about scammers impersonating Best Buy or its Geek Squad tech support brand. This was followed by around 34,000 reports of scammers impersonating Amazon. PayPal was the third-most impersonated company with about 10,000 consumer reports.


FTC announces virtual open commission meeting scheduled for May 23
Antitrust

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan announced that an open meeting of the Commission will be held virtually on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The meeting will commence at 1 pm ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission.


FTC and DOJ seek public input on impact of serial acquisitions
Antitrust

The focus of dealmaking and antitrust enforcement often centers on large transactions involving major companies. This is due to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, which mandates that antitrust agencies receive notice of significant deals valued at over $119.5 million. However, roll-up schemes, favored by private equity firms and other corporate entities, can be executed through a series of smaller acquisitions that individually fall below the reporting threshold for antitrust agencies.


FTC and DOJ launch inquiry into serial acquisitions' impact on competition
Antitrust

On May 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Justice Department’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division jointly launched a public inquiry to identify serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies that have led to harmful consolidation in various sectors of the U.S. economy.


U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehend woman with 93 pounds of fentanyl pills
Antitrust

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) thwarted an attempt to smuggle 93 pounds of fentanyl in the El Centro Sector last week, according to a news release from the agency. The incident occurred in Indio, California.


U.S. Border Patrol apprehends 13 Dominican migrants in Puerto Rico
Antitrust

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently detained 13 undocumented migrants from the Dominican Republic in the Puerto Rican community of Villa Pesquera, Isabela.