A Jacksonville resident and his debt collection agency have been ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution and civil penalties for violations of Florida and federal collection laws.
Ted Ellis Crosby, owner and director of Ellis Crosby & Associates, was found to have engaged in willful violations of Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Business Practices Act and Floridas Consumer Collections Practices Act. The case was litigated by the Attorney Generals Economic Crimes division.
This case should put similar operations on notice that the penalties for such deceptive business practices can be very costly, said Attorney General Bill McCollum. Florida authorities will not tolerate unscrupulous individuals who victimize our citizens in potentially difficult financial situations.
The Attorney Generals lawsuit, filed in June August 2005, alleged that Crosby and his company used deceptive practices in an attempt to scare, harass and intimidate debtors into paying amounts far in excess of their debts.
Testimony from victims and witnesses revealed that Crosby and company used tactics such as posing as law enforcement officers, threatening seizure of property, and even threatening bodily harm. More than 380 victims filed complaints with the Attorney Generals office.
Duval Circuit Court Judge L. Haldane Taylor ordered Crosby and his company to pay $388,000 in consumer restitution, $700,000 in fines for violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Business Practices Act, and $253,000 in fees and costs, totaling more than $1.3 million.
The Judge also entered a permanent injunction which prohibits Crosby and his company from engaging in any activity within the State of Florida which is related in any way to the ownership, processing, administration or collection of consumer debts.
