UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ) Plaintiff, v. Case No. 4:14-cv-00815-BCW BF LABS INC., et al., ; Defendants. ) STIPULATED FINAL ORDER FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND MONETARY JUDGMENT AS TO DEFENDANT DARLA DRAKE Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), filed its Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief, subsequently amended as First Amended Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief (“Complaint”), pursuant to Section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”), 15 U.S.C. § 53(b). The FTC and Defendant Darla Drake, by and through their undersigned counsel, have stipulated to the entry of this Final Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment to resolve all matters in dispute in this action between them. THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows: FINDINGS By stipulation of the parties, the Court finds as follows: 1. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter. 2. The Complaint alleges that Stipulating Defendant participated in deceptive and unfair acts or practices in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45, in the sale and marketing of Bitcoin mining products and services. Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 1 of 16 3. The Stipulating Defendant neither admits nor denies the allegations in the Complaint, except as specifically stated in this Order. Only for purposes of this action, the Defendant admits the facts necessary to establish jurisdiction. 4. The Stipulating Defendant waives any claim that she may have under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412, concerning the prosecution of this action through the date of this Order, and agrees to bear her own costs and attorney fees. 5. The FTC and the Stipulating Defendant agree that this Order resolves all matters in dispute in this action between them. The Stipulating Defendant and the FTC waive all rights to appeal or otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Order. DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Order, the following definitions apply: A. “Bitcoin mining product or service” means any product, service, plan, or program designed or represented, expressly or by implication, to generate Bitcoins or any other virtual currency. B. “Clearly and conspicuously” means i In textual communications, the disclosure must be in a noticeable type, size, and location, using language and syntax comprehensible to an ordinary consumer; wn In communications disseminated orally or through audible means, the disclosure must be delivered in a volume, cadence, language, and syntax sufficient for an ordinary consumer to hear and comprehend them; 3. In communications disseminated through video means: (1) written disclosures must be in a form consistent with definition B.1 and appear on the screen for a duration sufficient for an ordinary consumer to read and Z Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 2 of 16 comprehend them, and be in the same language as the predominant language that is used in the communication; and (2) audio disclosures must be consistent with definition B.2; and 4. The disclosure cannot be combined with other text or information that is unrelated or immaterial to the subject matter of the disclosure. No other representation(s) may be contrary to, inconsistent with, or in mitigation of, the disclosure. G. “Defendants” means the Corporate Defendant and the Individual Defendants, individually, collectively, or in any combination. “Corporate Defendant” means BF Labs, Inc. and its successors and assigns. “Individual Defendants” means Sonny Vleisides, Darla Drake, and Nasser Ghoseiri. D. “Prompt Refund” means a refund sent by any means at least as fast and reliable as first class mail within seven (7) business days of the date on which the consumer requests a refund as specified under Section III or cancels an order under Section IV of this order. Provided, however, that where the seller cannot provide a refund by the same method payment was tendered, prompt refund shall mean a refund sent in the form of cash, check, or money order, by any means at least as fast and reliable as first class mail, within seven (7) business days of the date on which the seller discovers it cannot provide a refund by the same method as payment was tendered. E. “Stipulating Defendant” means Darla Drake and by whatever names she might be known. Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 3 of 16 ORDER I. PROHIBITION AGAINST DECEPTIVE CLAIMS RELATING TO BITCOIN MINING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IT IS ORDERED that the Stipulating Defendant, her officers, agents, employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for sale or sale of any Bitcoin mining product or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from: A. misrepresenting, or assisting others in misrepresenting, expressly or by implication: I that consumers will be able to use such product or service to generate Bitcoins or other virtual currency; or 2: that consumers will be able use such product or service to generate a profitable or substantial number of Bitcoins or other virtual currency; or 3. that any such product or service will be delivered by or provided by a certain date or timeframe; B. making any representation, or assisting others in making any representation, expressly or by implication, concerning the claims set forth in LA.1 through I.A.3, unless the representation is non-misleading and, at the time such representation is made, the Stipulating Defendant possesses and relies upon competent and reliable evidence that is sufficient to substantiate that the representation is true; or Cc: representing, expressly or by implication, that the Stipulating Defendant markets and sells such product or service for consumers to use, without disclosing Clearly and Conspicuously, before consumers pay for such product or service, that the Stipulating Defendant Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 4 of 16 may use such products or services in testing or otherwise, to mine for Bitcoins or other virtual currencies for itself, prior to delivering them to consumers. II. PROHIBITION AGAINST MISREPRESENTATIONS RELATING TO ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stipulating Defendant, her officers, agents, employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for sale or sale of any product or service, are permanently restrained and enjoined from misrepresenting or assisting others in misrepresenting, expressly or by implication: A. the terms of any refund, cancellation, exchange, or repurchase policy, or the circumstances under which a full or partial refund will be granted or denied; or B. any other fact material to consumers concerning the product or service, such as any material aspects of the speed, efficiency, operational cost, performance, or efficacy of such product or service. Il. PROHIBITION AGAINST MAINTAINING CONSUMERS’ PAYMENTS FOR DAMAGED OR INCORRECT PRODUCTS OR SERVICES IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Stipulating Defendant, her officers, agents, employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for sale or sale of any product or service for which Stipulating Defendant collects an upfront payment, are permanently restrained and enjoined from failing, upon a consumer’s request within 30 days of receipt of the product or service, to provide a prompt refund of a consumer’s payments for such product or service when Defendants delivered Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 5 of 16 a product that is damaged, or provided a product or service that did not meet promised specifications. IV. OBTAINING CONSENT TO LATE DELIVERY AND PROVIDING PROMPT REFUNDS IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stipulating Defendant, her officers, agents, employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, offering for sale or sale of any product or service for which the Stipulating Defendant collects an upfront payment and specify a delivery date, are permanently restrained and enjoined from, when the Stipulating Defendant does not deliver such product or service within the time so represented, failing to offer to consumers, Clearly and Conspicuously, and without prior demand, an option either to consent to a delay in delivery or to cancel the order and receive a prompt refund provided that: (1) such offer is made within a reasonable time after the Stipulating Defendant first become aware of her inability to deliver within the time frame so represented; and (2) any offer to consumers of such an option fully informs consumers regarding their right to cancel the order and to obtain a prompt refund and provides a revised delivery date, except where the Stipulating Defendant lacks a reasonable basis for providing a definite revised delivery date the notice informs consumers that the Stipulating Defendant is unable to make any representation regarding the length of the delay. V. MONETARY JUDGMENT AND PARTIAL SUSPENSION IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: A. Judgment in the amount of ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS ($135,878) is entered in favor of the FTC against the Stipulating Defendant, as equitable monetary relief. Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 6 of 16 B. The Stipulating Defendant shall, within ten (10) business days from the date of entry of this Order, liquidate all Bitcoin in her possession, custody, or control and transfer to the FTC or its designated agent all proceeds from such liquidation. C. Upon the asset transfers identified in this Section, the remainder of the judgment as to the Stipulating Defendant is suspended, subject to the Subsections below. D. The FTC’s agreement to the suspension of the judgment is expressly premised upon the truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness of the Stipulating Defendant’s sworn financial statements and related documents (collectively, “financial representations”) submitted to the FTC, namely, the Financial Statement of Stipulated Defendant Darla Drake signed on September 23, 2014 as supplemented by the Financial Statement of Stipulated Defendant Darla Drake signed on August 3, 2015, including its attachments. E. The suspension of the judgment will be lifted as to the Stipulating Defendant if, upon motion by the FTC, the Court finds that the Stipulating Defendant failed to disclose any material asset, materially misstated the value of any asset, or made any other material misstatement or omission in the financial representations identified above. F. Ifthe suspension of the judgment is lifted, the judgment becomes immediately due as to the Stipulating Defendant in the amount specified in Subsection A above (which the parties stipulate only for purposes of this Section represents the consumer injury alleged in the Complaint), less any payment previously made pursuant to this Section, plus interest computed from the date of entry of this Order. VI. ADDITIONAL MONETARY PROVISIONS IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: A. Stipulating Defendant relinquishes dominion and all legal and equitable right, title, and interest in all assets transferred pursuant to this Order and may not seek the return of any assets. 7 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 7 of 16 B. The facts alleged in the Complaint will be taken as true, without further proof, in any subsequent civil litigation by or on behalf of the FTC, including in a proceeding to enforce its rights to any payment or monetary judgment pursuant to this Order, such as a nondischargeability complaint in any bankruptcy case. C. The facts alleged in the Complaint establish all elements necessary to sustain an action by the FTC pursuant to Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A), and this Order will have collateral estoppel effect for such purposes. D. The Stipulating Defendant acknowledges that her Taxpayer Identification Number, which was previously submitted to the FTC, may be used for collecting and reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of this Order, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 7701. E. All money paid to the FTC pursuant to this Order may be deposited into a fund administered by the FTC or its designee to be used for equitable relief, including consumer redress and any attendant expenses for the administration of any redress fund. If a representative of the FTC decides that direct redress to consumers is wholly or partially impracticable or money remains after redress is completed, the FTC may apply any remaining money for such other equitable relief (including consumer information remedies) as it determines to be reasonably related to Defendants’ practices alleged in the Complaint. Any money not used for such equitable relief may be deposited to the U.S. Treasury as disgorgement. Defendants have no right to challenge any actions the FTC or its representatives may take pursuant to this Subsection. F. Upon written request from a representative of the FTC, any consumer reporting agency must furnish consumer reports concerning the Stipulating Defendant, pursuant to Section 604(a)(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(a)(1). Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 8 of 16 VII. CUSTOMER INFORMATION IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stipulating Defendant, her officers, agents, employees, and those persons or entities in active concert or participation with any of them who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, are permanently restrained and enjoined from directly or indirectly: A. Failing to provide sufficient customer information that is in the Stipulating Defendant’s possession, custody, or control, to enable the FTC to administer efficiently consumer redress. If a representative of the FTC requests in writing any information related to redress that is in the Stipulating Defendant’s possession, custody, or control, the Stipulating Defendant must provide it, in a mutually agreeable form, within 14 days; B. Disclosing, using, or benefitting from customer information, without the express written consent of the consumer that enables a charge to or withdrawal from a customer’s account (including a credit card, bank account, or other financial account) that any Defendant obtained prior to entry of this Order in connection with the marketing and sale of bitcoin mining products and services; and C. Failing to destroy such customer information in all forms in their possession, custody, or control within thirty (30) days after receipt of written direction to do so from a representative of the FTC. Provided, however, that customer information need not be disposed of, and may be disclosed, to the extent requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order. Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 9 of 16 VIII. ORDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stipulating Defendant obtain acknowledgments of receipt of this Order: A. The Stipulating Defendant, within seven (7) days of entry of this Order, must submit to the FTC an acknowledgment of receipt of this Order sworn under penalty of perjury. B. For ten (10) years after entry of this Order, the Stipulating Defendant for any business that she, individually or collectively with any other Defendant, is the majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, must deliver a copy of this Order to: (1) all principals, officers, directors, and LLC managers and members; (2) all employees, agents, and representatives who participate in conduct related to the subject matter of the Order; and (3) any business entity resulting from any change in structure as set forth in the Section titled Compliance Reporting. In any other business, such as one in which the Stipulating Defendant is an employee without any ownership or control, the Stipulating Defendant must deliver a copy of this Order to all principals and managers of the business before participating in conduct related to the subject matter of this Order.Delivery must occur within 7 days of entry of this Order for current personnel. To all others, delivery must occur before they assume their responsibilities. C. From each individual or entity to which the Stipulating Defendant delivered a copy of this Order, the Stipulating Defendant must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of this Order or certify in writing that it has been unable to do so. IX. COMPLIANCE REPORTING IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Stipulating Defendant make timely submissions to the FTC: A. One (1) year after entry of this Order, the Stipulating Defendant must submit a compliance report, sworn under penalty of perjury: 10 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 10 of 16 l, the Stipulating Defendant s must: (a) identify the primary physical, postal, and email address and telephone number, as designated points of contact, which representatives of the FTC may use to communicate with the Stipulating Defendant; (b) identify all of the Stipulating Defendant’s businesses by all of their names, telephone numbers, and physical, postal, email, and Internet addresses; (c) describe the activities of each business, including the products and services offered, the means of advertising, marketing, and sales and the involvement of any other Defendant (which the Stipulating Defendant must describe if she knows or should know due to her own involvement); (d) describe in detail whether and how the Stipulating Defendant is in compliance with each Section of this Order; and (e) provide a copy of each Order Acknowledgment obtained pursuant to this Order, unless previously submitted to the FTC. 2. Additionally, the Stipulating Defendant must: (a) identify all telephone numbers and physical, postal, email, and Internet addresses, including all residences; (b) identify all business activities, including any business for which the Stipulating Defendant performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which the Stipulating Defendant has any ownership interest; and (c) describe in detail the Stipulating Defendant’s involvement in each such business, including title, role, responsibilities, participation, authority, control, and any ownership. 11 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 11 of 16 B. For ten (10) years after entry of this Order, the Stipulating Defendant must submit a compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days of any change in the following: 1. The Stipulating Defendant must report any change in: (a) any designated point of contact; or (b) the structure of any entity that the Stipulating Defendant has any ownership interest in or controls directly or indirectly that may affect compliance obligations arising under this Order, including: creation, merger, sale, or dissolution of the entity or any subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this Order; 2. Additionally, the Stipulating Defendant must report any change in :(a) name, including aliases or fictitious name, or residence address; or (b) title or role in any business activity, including any business for which the Stipulating Defendant performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and any entity in which the Stipulating Defendant has any ownership interest, and identify the name, physical address, and Internet address of the business entity. C. The Stipulating Defendant must submit to the FTC notice of the filing of any bankruptcy petition or insolvency proceeding, or similar proceeding, by or against the Stipulating Defendant within 14 days of its filing. D. Any submission to the FTC required by this Order to be sworn under penalty of perjury must be true and accurate and comply with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, such as by concluding: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on: ” and supplying the date, signatory’s full name, title (if applicable), and signature. 12 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 12 of 16 E. Unless otherwise directed by a FTC representative in writing, all submissions to the FTC pursuant to this Order must be emailed to DEbrief@ftc.gov or sent by overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service) to: Associate Director for Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20580. The subject line must begin: FTC v. BF Labs Inc. X. RECORDKEEPING IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for ten (10) years after entry of the Order, the Stipulating Defendant must create and retain each such record for five (5) years. Specifically, the Stipulating Defendant for any business that the Stipulating Defendant, individually or collectively with any other Defendant, is a majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, must create and retain the following records: A. Accounting records showing the revenues from all goods or services sold; B. Personnel records showing, for each person providing services, whether as an employee or otherwise, that person’s: name; addresses; telephone numbers; job title or position; and dates of service; C. Records of all consumer complaints and refund requests, whether received directly or indirectly, such as through a third party, and any response; D. All records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision of this Order, including all submissions to the FTC; and E. A copy of each unique advertisement or other marketing material. XI. COMPLIANCE MONITORING IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of monitoring the Stipulating Defendant’s compliance with this Order, including the financial representations upon which part of the judgment was suspended and any failure to transfer any assets as required by this Order: 13 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 13 of 16 A. Within fourteen (14) days of receipt of a written request from a representative of the FTC, the Stipulating Defendant must: submit additional compliance reports or other requested information, which must be sworn under penalty of perjury; appear for depositions; and produce documents for inspection and copying. The FTC is also authorized to obtain discovery, without further leave of court, using any of the procedures prescribed by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 29, 30 (including telephonic depositions), 31, 33, 34, 36, 45, and 69. B. For matters concerning this Order, the FTC is authorized to communicate directly with the Stipulating Defendant. The Stipulating Defendant must permit representatives of the FTC to interview any employee or other person affiliated with her who has agreed to such an interview. The person interviewed may have counsel present. C. The FTC may use all other lawful means, including posing, through its representatives as consumers, suppliers, or other individuals or entities, to the Stipulating Defendant or any individual or entity affiliated with the Stipulating Defendant, without the necessity of identification or prior notice. Nothing in this Order limits the FTC’s lawful use of compulsory process, pursuant to Sections 9 and 20 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49, 57b-1. XII. COOPERATION IT IS FURTHER ORDERD that the Stipulating Defendant must fully cooperate with representatives of the FTC in this case and in any investigation related to or associated with the transactions or the occurrences that are the subject of the Complaint. The Stipulating Defendant must provide truthful and complete information, evidence, and testimony. The Stipulating Defendant must appear for interviews, discovery, hearings, trials, and any other proceedings that a FTC representative may reasonably request upon 5 days written notice, or other reasonable 14 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 14 of 16 notice, at such places and times as a FTC representative may designate, without the service of a subpoena. XU. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court retains jurisdiction of this matter for purposes of construction, modification, and enforcement of this Order. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATE: February 25, 2016 /s/ Brian C. Wimes JUDGE BRIAN C. WIMES UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 15 Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 15 of 16 SO STIPULATED AND AGREED: Padi Qe Drala DARLA DRAKE Defendant Approved as to form: MARK A. OLTHOFF (MO #38572) MICHAEL S. FOSTER (MO #61205) Polsinelli PC 900 W 48th Place Suite 900 | Kansas City, Missouri 64112-1895 , Telephone: (816) 753-1000 Facsimile: (816) 753-1536 molthoff@polsinelli.com mfoster@polsinelli.com Attorneys for Defendant Darla Drake a GREGORY A. ASHE (VA #39131) JASON M. ADLER (IL #6295738) Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Mail Stop CC-10232 Washington, DC 20580 Telephone: (202) 326-3779 (Wong) Telephone: (202) 326-2187 (Frazier) Telephone: (202) 326-3719 (Ashe) Telephone: (202) 326-3231 (Adler) Facsimile: (202) 326-3768 hwong@ftc.gov lfrazier(@ftc.gov gashe@ftc.gov jadler@fic.gov CHARLES M. THOMAS (MO #28522) Assistant United States Attorney Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse 400 E Ninth Strect Room $510 Kansas City, Missouri 64106 Telephone: (816) 426-3130 Facsimile: (816) 426-3165 charles.thomas@usdoj.gov Attorneys for Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission | Case 4:14-cv-00815-BCW Document 378 Filed 02/25/16 Page 16 of 16