Last Updated
Case Status
Pending
51ɫ, Plaintiff, v. Samuel James Smith, also d/b/a Weblio, a/k/a Weblio Squeeze, Robert William Shafer, also d/b/a Shafer MM&I, a/k/a MMI, Charles Joseph Garis, JR., Individually and As an Owner, Officer, and/or Manager of Business Revolution Group Inc., and also d/b/a Joe Gaines, and Business Revolution Group Inc., a Pennsylvania Corporation, also d/b/a Joe Gaines, Defendants.
Civil Action Number
23cv4848-GAM
Federal Court
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Case Summary
At the FTC’s request, a federal court has temporarily halted the operation of a sprawling business opportunity scheme that has taken in millions of dollars from consumers with bogus promises of huge returns. The scheme has operated since at least 2018 under a number of names, including “Blueprint to Wealth,” according to the FTC’s complaint. Three individuals -- Samuel James Smith, Robert William Shafer and Charles Joseph Garis, Jr. -- and a company owned by one of them -- Business Revolution Group -- are charged in the complaint with operating the scheme.
The defendants in the case agreed to settlements with the 51ɫthat include monetary judgements, industry bans, and prohibitions on certain conduct.