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SEC Obtains Final Judgments Against U.S. Citizens in Connection With Overseas Boiler Room Schemes
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSdock) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Robert Lenard Booth, Michael D'Urso, Daniel T. Wellcome Jr., Alyssa D'Urso, Antonella Chiaramonte, and Jay Garnock, No. 22-civ-01115 (S.D.N.Y. filed Feb. 9, 2022)
On October 9, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a final judgment as to Daniel T. Wellcome Jr. in connection with the SEC's filed civil enforcement action. Previously, on May 30, 2025, the SEC voluntarily dismissed charges against Robert
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSdock) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release:
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Robert Lenard Booth, Michael D'Urso, Daniel T. Wellcome Jr., Alyssa D'Urso, Antonella Chiaramonte, and Jay Garnock, No. 22-civ-01115 (S.D.N.Y. filed Feb. 9, 2022)
On October 9, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a final judgment as to Daniel T. Wellcome Jr. in connection with the SEC's filed civil enforcement action. Previously, on May 30, 2025, the SEC voluntarily dismissed charges against RobertLenard Booth, who had died, and on June 5, 2025, the Court entered final judgments as to Michael D'Urso, Alyssa D'Urso, Antonella Chiaramonte, and Jay Garnock (collectively with Wellcome and Booth, the "Defendants").
The SEC's complaint, filed on February 9, 2022, alleged that through the use of overseas boiler rooms in 2019 and 2020, the Defendants defrauded investors by selling them fake investments that purportedly traded on U.S. exchanges. According to the complaint, Wellcome acted as the intermediary between the boiler rooms and Michael D'Urso, who used his daughter, Alyssa D'Urso, Chiaramonte, and Garnock as nominees to open and manage bank accounts for fake companies he had created to receive the money. When investor money was received into the accounts, D'Urso allegedly skimmed a portion of the victims' funds for the Defendants before wiring the rest back to the overseas boiler rooms.
The SEC's complaint charged Booth, Michael D'Urso, and Wellcome with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and charged Alyssa D'Urso, Chiaramonte, and Garnock with violating and aiding and abetting Booth, Michael D'Urso, and Wellcome's violations of those provisions. It also charged Booth with violating the broker registration provisions of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act, and charged Michael D'Urso and Wellcome with aiding and abetting Booth's registration violations.
The final judgment against Wellcome ordered him liable for disgorgement of $267,404 and prejudgment interest of $6,090.92, which amounts were deemed satisfied by the restitution order entered against Wellcome in the parallel criminal action, United States v. Daniel Wellcome, No. 1:22-cr-00196-PKC (S.D.N.Y.). On April 1, 2022, the Court entered a consent judgment as to Wellcome, which enjoined him from future violations of the charged provisions and imposed a conduct-based injunction. The final judgments against Michael D'Urso, Alyssa D'Urso, Chiaramonte, and Garnock, enjoined them from future violations of the charged provisions, imposed conduct-based injunctions, and ordered each of these defendants to pay disgorgement with prejudgment interest in amounts that were deemed satisfied by the entry of the restitution orders in the related criminal action, United States v. Robert Lenard Booth, et al., No. 1:21-cr-00652 (S.D.N.Y.).
The SEC's litigation, which is now concluded, was handled by Melissa Armstrong.
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Resources
* Final Judgment - Alyssa D'Urso (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26682adurso.pdf)
* Final Judgment - Antonella Chiaramonte (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26682chiaramonte.pdf)
* Final Judgment - Jay Garnock (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26682garnock.pdf)
* Final Judgment - Daniel Wellcome (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26682wellcome.pdf)
* Final Judgment - Michael D'Urso (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/judg26682mdurso.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26682
FCC Issues Daily Digest for Nov. 2
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following Daily Digest (Vol. 45, No. 210) on Nov. 2, 2026:
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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE DATED AND RELEASED TODAY:
PUBLIC NOTICES
Released: 2026-11-02. EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS AND POST-REPLY COMMENT PERIOD FILING IN PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSURE PROCEEDINGS RECEIVED ON 10-30-26. OMD. Contact: Kenneth Hill, 202-418-7521. DOC-426396A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426396A1.pdf) DOC-426396A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426396A1.txt)
Report No: REPORT NO. PN-3-261102-01. Released: 2026-11-02.
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following Daily Digest (Vol. 45, No. 210) on Nov. 2, 2026:
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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE DATED AND RELEASED TODAY:
PUBLIC NOTICES
Released: 2026-11-02. EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS AND POST-REPLY COMMENT PERIOD FILING IN PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSURE PROCEEDINGS RECEIVED ON 10-30-26. OMD. Contact: Kenneth Hill, 202-418-7521. DOC-426396A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426396A1.pdf) DOC-426396A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426396A1.txt)
Report No: REPORT NO. PN-3-261102-01. Released: 2026-11-02.PLEADINGS. MB. DOC-426394A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426394A1.pdf) DOC-426394A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426394A1.txt)
Released: 2026-11-02. STREAMLINED RESOLUTION OF REQUEST TO ACTIONS BY THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE. (DA No. 26-1156). (Dkt No 02-6 02-60). WCB. Contact: James Bachtell, 418-2694. DA-26-1156A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1156A1.docx) DA-26-1156A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1156A1.pdf) DA-26-1156A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1156A1.txt)
Report No: REPORT NO. PN-1-261102-01. Released: 2026-11-02. APPLICATIONS. MB. DOC-426392A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426392A1.pdf) DOC-426392A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426392A1.txt)
Released: 2026-11-02. COMMENTS INVITED ON GEORGETOWN TELEPHONE COMPANY'S SECTION 214 APPLICATION TO DISCONTINUE DOMESTIC LEGACY VOICE SERVICE AS PART OF A TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION. (DA No. 26-1185). (Dkt No 26-291). Comments Due: 2026-11-17. WCB. Contact: Kimberly Jackson, (202) 418-7393, Kimberly.Jackson@fcc.gov. DA-26-1185A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1185A1.docx) DA-26-1185A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1185A1.pdf) DA-26-1185A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1185A1.txt)
Report No: REPORT NO. PN-2-261102-01. Released: 2026-11-02. ACTIONS. MB. DOC-426393A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426393A1.pdf) DOC-426393A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426393A1.txt)
Released: 2026-11-02. EX PARTE PRESENTATIONS AND POST-REPLY COMMENT PERIOD FILING IN PERMIT-BUT-DISCLOSURE PROCEEDINGS RECEIVED ON 10-29-26. OMD. Contact: Kenneth Hill, 202-418-7521. DOC-426395A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426395A1.pdf) DOC-426395A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426395A1.txt)
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TEXTS
NOTICE OF MAX FREQUENCY, LLC'S INTERIM DEFAULT PAYMENT OBLIGATION FOR CONSTRUCTION PERMITS WON IN AUCTION 109 AND DEMAND FOR PAYMENT. Providing notice and a demand for payment of the interim default payment obligation for Max Frequency LLC for construction permits won in Auction 109. (Dkt No 21-39). by LETTER. (DA No. 26-1134). OEA MB. DA-26-1134A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1134A1.docx) DA-26-1134A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1134A1.pdf) DA-26-1134A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1134A1.txt)
APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF WBSF(TV), BAY CITY, MI FROM FLINT LICENSEE, INC. TO WSMH LICENSEE, LLC. Granted the application to assign license of WBSF(TV), Bay City, MI from a subsidiary of Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation to a subsidiary of Sinclair, Inc.. Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. by LETTER. (DA No. 26-1184). MB. DA-26-1184A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1184A1.docx) DA-26-1184A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1184A1.pdf) DA-26-1184A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1184A1.txt)
DENIAL OF CLARITY TELECOM, LLC'S WAIVER REQUEST; DISMISSAL OF AUCTION 105 LONG-FORM APPLICATION; NOTICE AND DEMAND FOR PAYMENT OF INTERIM DEFAULT PAYMENT FOR LICENSES WON IN AUCTION 105. Letter Order denying Clarity Telecom, LLC's waiver request, dismissing its Auction 105 long-form application, and providing notice and a demand for payment of its interim default payment obligation for licenses won in Auction 105. (Dkt No 19-244). by LETTER. (DA No. 26-1135). OEA WTB. DA-26-1135A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1135A1.docx) DA-26-1135A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1135A1.pdf) DA-26-1135A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1135A1.txt)
FORFEITURE ORDER, GREEN RIVER CITY TELEVISION. Issued a Forfeiture Order to Green River City Television in the amount of $150 for violations of Commission rules.. Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. Adopted: 2026-11-02 by Forfeiture Order. (DA No. 26-1183). MB. DA-26-1183A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1183A1.docx) DA-26-1183A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1183A1.pdf) DA-26-1183A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1183A1.txt)
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ADDENDA: THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, RELEASED OCTOBER 30, 2026, DID NOT APPEAR IN DIGEST NO. 209:
NEWS RELEASES
FCC'S FRAUD CRACKDOWN SAVING TAXPAYERS BILLIONS. Combating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse with Enforcement Actions, Rulemakings, and Prosecutions to Protect the American Taxpayer. by News Release. OMR. DOC-426379A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426379A1.docx) DOC-426379A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426379A1.pdf) DOC-426379A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-426379A1.txt)
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PUBLIC NOTICES
Released: 2026-10-30. THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES CONDITIONAL APPROVAL AND EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN UNCREWED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS, POWER INVERTERS, AND ADVANCED ROBOTIC DEVICES FROM FCC COVERED LIS. (DA No. 26-1181). (Dkt No 18-89 21-232 21-233). PSHSB. Contact: Matthew Chai (202-418-1112; matthew.chai@fcc.gov) . DA-26-1181A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1181A1.docx) DA-26-1181A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1181A1.pdf) DA-26-1181A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1181A1.txt)
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TEXTS
AUCTIONING THE 1675-1695 MHZ AND 2020-2025 MHZ BANDS, UNLEASHING LICENSED SPECTRUM FOR DIRECT-TO-DEVICE, ALLOCATION AND SERVICE RULES FOR THE 1675-1680 MHZ BAND, FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING. In this FNPRM, the Commission proposes rules that could lead to auction of 25 megahertz of prime mid-band spectrum in the 1675-1695 MHz and 2020-2025 MHz bands.. (Dkt No 26-284 26-281 19-116). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 2026-10-29 by FNPRM. (FCC No. 26-70). WTB. FCC-26-70A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A1.docx) FCC-26-70A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A1.pdf) FCC-26-70A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A1.txt) FCC-26-70A2.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A2.docx) FCC-26-70A2.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A2.pdf) FCC-26-70A2.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A2.txt) FCC-26-70A3.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A3.docx) FCC-26-70A3.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A3.pdf) FCC-26-70A3.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A3.txt) FCC-26-70A4.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A4.docx) FCC-26-70A4.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A4.pdf) FCC-26-70A4.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-70A4.txt)
IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTIONS 716 AND 717 OF THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1934, AS ENACTED BY THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO ACCESSIBILITY ACT OF 2010. In this Notice, the Commission seeks comment on existing marketplace and regulatory barriers that may hinder the accessibility and innovation of new technologies and services, as well as market developments that may render old rules no longer appropriate.. (Dkt No 10-213 03-123 21-140). Action by: Federal Communications Commission. Adopted: 2026-10-29 by NPRM. (FCC No. 26-76). CGB. Contact: Stephen Wang, at: (202) 418-1634; email: stephen.wang@fcc.gov. FCC-26-76A1.docx FCC-26-76A1.pdf FCC-26-76A1.txt FCC-26-76A2.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-76A1.docx) FCC-26-76A2.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-76A1.pdf) FCC-26-76A2.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-76A1.txt) FCC-26-76A3.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-76A2.docx) FCC-26-76A3.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-76A2.pdf) FCC-26-76A3.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-76A3.txt)
IN THE MATTER OF: CONNECT AMERICA FUND: A NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE HIGH-COST UNIVERSAL SUPPORT; REFORMING THE HIGH-COST PROGRAM FOR AN ALL-IP FUTURE; SAFEGUARDING UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUNDING THROUGH EFFECTIVE APPLICANT VETTING. "The FCC Seeks Comment on Ways to Implement the Rural Broadband Protection Act (RBPA) by Strengthening Vetting Procedures and Application Frameworks for Future High-cost Support Mechanisms.". (Dkt No 10-90 26-96 26-288). Action by: The Commission. Adopted: 2026-10-29 by NPRM. (FCC No. 26-75). WCB. FCC-26-75A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A1.docx) FCC-26-75A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A1.pdf) FCC-26-75A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A1.txt) FCC-26-75A2.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A2.docx) FCC-26-75A2.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A2.pdf) FCC-26-75A2.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A2.txt) FCC-26-75A3.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A3.docx) FCC-26-75A3.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A3.pdf) FCC-26-75A3.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-75A3.txt)
IN THE MATTER OF EAGLE WIRELESS HOLDINGS, INC. PETITION FOR EXPEDITED WAIVER OF SECTIONS 2.932(B) AND 2.1043(B) OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO PERMIT TARGETED CLASS I AND CLASS II PERMISSIVE HARDWARE CHANGES TO COVERED EQUIPMENT. The Office of Engineering and Technology grants in part the request of Eagle Wireless Holdings, Inc. for a waiver of Sections 2.932(b) and 2.1043(b) of the Commission's rules.. (Dkt No 26-256). Action by: Office of Engineering and Technology. Adopted: 2026-10-30 by ORDER. (DA No. 26-1182). OET. DA-26-1182A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1182A1.docx) DA-26-1182A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1182A1.pdf) DA-26-1182A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1182A1.txt)
UNLEASHING AMERICAN DRONE DOMINANCE, SPECTRUM RULES AND POLICIES FOR THE OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS, FACILITATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY, REPORT AND ORDER. This Order updates the Commision's rules to enable drone operations in the 800 MHz Cellular Band.. (Dkt No 26-74 22-323 24-629). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 2026-10-29 by R&O. (FCC No. 26-72). WTB. FCC-26-72A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A1.docx) FCC-26-72A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A1.pdf) FCC-26-72A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A1.txt) FCC-26-72A2.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A2.docx) FCC-26-72A2.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A2.pdf) FCC-26-72A2.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A2.txt) FCC-26-72A3.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A3.docx) FCC-26-72A3.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A3.pdf) FCC-26-72A3.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-72A3.txt)
PROMOTING THE INTEGRITY AND SECURITY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS CERTIFICATION BODIES, MEASUREMENT FACILITIES, AND THE EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM. Third R&O limits FCC-recognized testing and certification to trusted jurisdictions with reciprocal oversight. Third FNPRM seeks comment on Legal Entity Identifiers, foreign ownership, post-market surveillance, IP protection, and EAS modernization.. (Dkt No 24-136). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 2026-10-29 by R&O. (FCC No. 26-73). OET. FCC-26-73A1.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A1.docx) FCC-26-73A1.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A1.pdf) FCC-26-73A1.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A1.txt) FCC-26-73A2.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A2.docx) FCC-26-73A2.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A2.pdf) FCC-26-73A2.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A2.txt) FCC-26-73A3.docx (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A3.docx) FCC-26-73A3.pdf (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A3.pdf) FCC-26-73A3.txt (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-73A3.txt)
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Original text here: https://www.fcc.gov/edocs/daily-digest/2026/11/02
Gator Strong Services Resolves EEOC Sexual Harassment Suit
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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Gator Strong Services Resolves EEOC Sexual Harassment Suit
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WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Gator Strong, LLC and Gator Strong NC, LLC, who operate Gator Strong Services in Wilmington, agreed to pay $25,000 and furnish other relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
According to the suit, the former chief operating officer (COO) of Gator Strong subjected the office manager to a campaign of sexual
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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Gator Strong Services Resolves EEOC Sexual Harassment Suit
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WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Gator Strong, LLC and Gator Strong NC, LLC, who operate Gator Strong Services in Wilmington, agreed to pay $25,000 and furnish other relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
According to the suit, the former chief operating officer (COO) of Gator Strong subjected the office manager to a campaign of sexualharassment by repeatedly making sexual comments to her, humiliating her in front of her colleagues, hugging her without her consent, and describing intimate details about his sex life. After the office manager found a sex contract in a folder on her desk, the COO asked if she had gotten the folder. When she refused to discuss it with him, he fired her. The lawsuit also alleged that Gator Strong NC, LLC has successor liability for the unlawful conduct.
"The prohibition against sex-based harassment is an important protection under federal law," said Melinda C. Dugas, regional attorney for the EEOC's Charlotte District. "It applies equally to executives as it does to front line workers and supervisors. The EEOC appreciates Gator Strong NC, LLC's commitment to taking concrete measures to prevent this type of conduct from reoccurring in the workplace."
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees from harassment based on their sex, including sexual harassment. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC et al v. Gator Strong, LLC et al, Case No. 7:25-cv-01267) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.
Under the two-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit, Gator Strong NC, LLC will revise, maintain and distribute policies and procedures pertaining to Title VII, provide antiharassment training to managers, supervisors and executives and training on an employer's responsibilities under Title VII, and periodically provide reports to the EEOC.
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Original text here: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/gator-strong-services-resolves-eeoc-sexual-harassment-suit
FTC, Washington Take Action Against Payment Processor for Deceiving Small Businesses About Costs and Cancellation Terms
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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FTC, Washington Take Action Against Payment Processor for Deceiving Small Businesses About Costs and Cancellation Terms
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Payment processor Riverside Payments Inc., its affiliate Cascade Equipment Leasing LLC and their operators will pay $600,000 to resolve Federal Trade Commission and Washington state allegations that the firms deceived small businesses by falsely promising to save them money on payment processing services and making it nearly impossible to cancel despite offering "risk-free" cancellation.
Small
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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FTC, Washington Take Action Against Payment Processor for Deceiving Small Businesses About Costs and Cancellation Terms
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Payment processor Riverside Payments Inc., its affiliate Cascade Equipment Leasing LLC and their operators will pay $600,000 to resolve Federal Trade Commission and Washington state allegations that the firms deceived small businesses by falsely promising to save them money on payment processing services and making it nearly impossible to cancel despite offering "risk-free" cancellation.
Smallbusinesses also will be able to rescind processing agreements without a termination penalty under the proposed order settling the FTC and Washington's allegations.
In their complaint, the FTC and the State of Washington allege that Washington-based Riverside, Cascade and their owners and executives, Brandon Skinner and Jason Reese, falsely promised small businesses that they would save money on payment-processing services, while failing to clearly inform the businesses that they were being enrolled in automatically renewing contracts for payment-processing services and to lease equipment.
"Riverside and Cascade promised small businesses significant savings, but instead of saving money locked them into costly, multi-year contracts and made it very difficult to cancel," said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "The FTC will hold accountable companies that deceive small businesses, whose hard work powers our economy."
The FTC and Washington allege that Riverside's sales pitches included a quote sheet that compared the costs prospective clients paid their existing payment processor with the amount they would save if they used Riverside's services instead. The complaint alleges that Riverside at times claimed that small businesses could save 40% to 60% by switching to Riverside. In reality, the FTC and Washington allege, small businesses who switched to Riverside typically ended up paying more than they did with their previous provider.
The quote sheet Riverside provided to potential clients failed to include various fees, such as activation fees, batch fees and fees for supposed non-compliance with data security standards or inactive processing, according to the complaint. In addition, Riverside's 26-page electronic contract buried key information not clearly disclosed by sales agents, according to the complaint. This included information about automatic renewals for processing services after the initial three-year term; a $695 early termination fee; and the cost of leasing payment processing machines from Cascade, which locked customers into an auto-renewing contract that lasted one year longer than the processing contract.
The FTC and Washington allege that Riverside made it extremely difficult for small businesses to cancel it services despite its promised "no-risk" guarantee when customers signed up. The company not only falsely promised businesses they could cancel anytime without penalty but also falsely claimed that it would switch unsatisfied businesses back to their original payment processor and pay them $500 for their "time and hassle."
The complaint alleges that small businesses who attempted to cancel typically did not hear back from Riverside and were often stuck in a loop of fruitless phone calls and deflection.
Even businesses that were willing to pay Riverside's improperly disclosed $695 termination fee, which was a surprise to many, were told there was no direct line to call to cancel Riverside's services and they must wait to receive a call back. The complaint alleges that such callbacks often never came.
In addition, the FTC and Washington allege that Riverside has made false and unsubstantiated claims about how much money its sales agents, who work on commission, will earn. Riverside's ads have claimed sales agents could earn between $75,000 and $95,000 a year, and that top sales agents can make "100k." In reality, agents made, on average, just $3,787 per year, according to the complaint.
The FTC alleges that Riverside's practices violated the FTC Act and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act by obtaining consumers' financial information by using false or fraudulent statements.
The proposed order resolving the FTC's and Washington's allegations imposes a $32,083,921 judgment against Riverside, Skinner, Reese and Cascade, which will be suspended after payment of $600,000 due to their inability to pay the full amount. The full amount will be due if they are found to have lied about their finances.
The order also requires the defendants to notify their customers that Riverside will, for a 60-day period, waive the early termination fee or any penalty for rescinding the merchant-processing agreements. The defendants also will be prohibited from: misrepresenting the costs, savings, cancellation conditions or any other material fact about any good or service they sell; making unsubstantiated claims about the amount of savings customers will realize; making unsubstantiated earnings claims; and misrepresenting any aspect of a negative option feature related to a good or service they sell.
The order also requires the defendants to clearly and conspicuously disclose to consumers, prior to obtaining their billing information, all material terms of the transaction, to obtain consumers' express informed consent to use a negative option plan to bill consumers and to provide consumers with a simple way to cancel a negative option plan.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 2-0. The FTC and Washington filed the complaint and final order in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has "reason to believe" that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
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Original text here: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/11/ftc-washington-take-action-against-payment-processor-deceiving-small-businesses-about-costs
FEC Issues Digest for Week of Oct. 26-30, 2026
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
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Litigation
Giffords v. FEC (Case No. No. 25-5188) On October 27, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a Mandate.
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Outreach
On October 26, Commissioner Dara Lindenbaum discussed campaign finance disclosure rules and the role of the Commission with members of a German delegation visiting the United States with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
On
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Election Commission issued the following weekly digest:
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Commission meetings and hearings
No open meetings or executive sessions were scheduled this week.
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Litigation
Giffords v. FEC (Case No. No. 25-5188) On October 27, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a Mandate.
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Outreach
On October 26, Commissioner Dara Lindenbaum discussed campaign finance disclosure rules and the role of the Commission with members of a German delegation visiting the United States with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
OnOctober 27, Commissioner Shana M. Broussard discussed campaign finance disclosure rules and the role of the Commission with an Australian delegation visiting the United States as part of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
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Upcoming educational opportunities
November 18, 2026: The Commission is scheduled to host a Winding Down the Campaign & Post-General Reporting Webinar.
For more information on upcoming training opportunities, see the Commission's Trainings page.
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Upcoming reporting due dates
December 3: 30-Day Post-General Reports are due. For more information, see the Pre- and Post-General Reporting schedule.
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Additional research materials
Contribution Limits: In addition to the current limits, the Commission has posted an archive of contribution limits that were in effect going back to the 1975-1976 election cycles.
Federal election results are available. The data was compiled from the official vote totals published by state election offices.
The Combined Federal State Disclosure and Election Directory is available. This publication identifies the federal and state agencies responsible for the disclosure of campaign finances, lobbying, personal finances, public financing, candidates on the ballot, election results, spending on state initiatives, and other financial filings.
The Presidential Election Campaign Fund Tax Checkoff Chart provides information on balance of the Fund, monthly deposits into the Fund reported by the Department of the Treasury, payments from the Fund as certified by the FEC, and participation rates of taxpayers as reported by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information on the Presidential Public Funding Program, see the Public Funding of Presidential Elections page.
The FEC Record is available as a continuously updated online news source.
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Original text here: https://www.fec.gov/updates/week-of-october-26-30-2026/
FCC Restores Broadband Funding to Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission Wireline Competition Bureau has partially granted a petition for waiver filed by Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc. (WC Docket No. 10-90).
The decision restores Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support and obligations to 410 broadband locations in New Mexico that were improperly removed from eligibility. Under the order, released October 30, 2026, Roosevelt's annual Enhanced A-CAM funding will adjust to $3,983,457 beginning in 2027. Over the full 15-year term of the program, Roosevelt will
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission Wireline Competition Bureau has partially granted a petition for waiver filed by Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc. (WC Docket No. 10-90).
The decision restores Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support and obligations to 410 broadband locations in New Mexico that were improperly removed from eligibility. Under the order, released October 30, 2026, Roosevelt's annual Enhanced A-CAM funding will adjust to $3,983,457 beginning in 2027. Over the full 15-year term of the program, Roosevelt willreceive $61,183,593 in total support.
The Enhanced A-CAM initiative, established under Connect America Fund: A National Broadband Plan for Our Future High-Cost Universal Service Support (WC Docket No. 10-90), provides targeted support to expanding broadband carriers. Participating providers are required to deploy or maintain speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps to unserved and underserved areas. To ensure efficient distribution of funds without duplicate investments, FCC staff conducted a deduplication process with state agencies. This procedure aimed to identify areas covered by separate commitments from state or federal programs.
During discussions between FCC staff and the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBE), 514 locations within Roosevelt's service area were marked as covered by existing commitments. As a result, the FCC excluded these addresses from Enhanced A-CAM eligibility, reducing Roosevelt's annual support to $1,463,007 for 2,526 locations in final figures issued December 30, 2025. Roosevelt filed a petition for waiver on March 4, 2026, challenging the removal. Subsequent reviews revealed a miscommunication between agencies: only seven of the 514 locations were actually subject to enforceable commitments. Another 97 addresses were determined no longer to qualify as Broadband Serviceable Locations, leaving 410 locations eligible for restored funding.
Writing for the Wireline Competition Bureau, Bureau Chief Joseph S. Calascione explained that the agency granted relief because special circumstances existed and restoring the funding served the public interest. The order noted that the errors occurred through no fault of Roosevelt and that New Mexico was the only state where this specific type of agency miscommunication took place.
The bureau highlighted that without restored support, the 410 unserved locations would likely remain without fixed broadband access, as no other providers currently service those specific points. Restoring support aligns with the core purpose of the Enhanced A-CAM program by ensuring capital reaches rural areas without overlapping other government broadband funding efforts. The order took effect immediately upon its release.
-- Vidhi Gianani, targeted News Service
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Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc. is based in Portales, New Mexico.
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URL: Roosevelt County Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1178A1.pdf
FCC Adopts Consent Decree with HKT Ltd., PCCW Global Subsidiaries to Resolve Operating Authority Proceeding
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Consent Decree resolving an Order to Show Cause issued against HKT (International) Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including PCCW Global Inc., PCCW Global Limited, Gateway Global Communications Inc., and PCCW Global (UK) Limited (GN Docket No. 25-308).
Under the terms of the agreement, the telecommunications companies will voluntarily discontinue all services provided pursuant to their domestic section 214 authority and HKT's international section 214 authorizations. The companies plan to wind down
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Consent Decree resolving an Order to Show Cause issued against HKT (International) Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including PCCW Global Inc., PCCW Global Limited, Gateway Global Communications Inc., and PCCW Global (UK) Limited (GN Docket No. 25-308).
Under the terms of the agreement, the telecommunications companies will voluntarily discontinue all services provided pursuant to their domestic section 214 authority and HKT's international section 214 authorizations. The companies plan to wind downthese operations and surrender their authorizations on or before September 1, 2027.
The underlying proceeding began on October 15, 2025, when the FCC's Office of International Affairs, Wireline Competition Bureau, and Enforcement Bureau directed the companies to explain why the agency should not initiate proceedings to revoke their domestic and international authorizations. Following responses filed by the companies beginning in December 2025, the bureaus determined that entering into a Consent Decree serves the public interest by resolving the matter without further expenditure of public resources.
The Consent Decree specifies that the agreement does not constitute an admission by the companies of any facts, claims, or wrongdoing alleged in the initial Order to Show Cause. Furthermore, the FCC affirmed that the companies are not identified on the agency's Covered List and are not deemed to be subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary based on the proceedings.
Following the final discontinuance of services, the companies are required to submit a surrender notice to the commission. Any future attempt to provide domestic interstate common carrier or U.S.-international telecommunications services will require submitting new applications to the FCC and obtaining explicit authorization. The Consent Decree terminates five years after its effective date, though core settlement and resolution provisions remain permanently in effect.
-- Vidhi Gianani, Targeted News Service
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HKT (International) Limited is based in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong.
PCCW Global Inc. U.S. office is based in Herndon, Virginia.
PCCW Global Limited is based in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.
Gateway Global Communications Inc. is based in Herndon, Virginia.
PCCW Global (UK) Limited is based in London, UK.
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URL: HKT (International) Limited
PCCW Global Inc.
PCCW Global Limited
Gateway Global Communications Inc.
PCCW Global (UK) Limited
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1163A1.pdf