In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS HOUSTON DIVISION JUAN RAMON TORRES and EUGENE ROBISON § § Plaintiffs, § § v. § § CIVIL ACTION NO. SGE MANAGEMENT, LLC, STREAM GAS & § 4:09CV2056 ELECTRIC, LTD, STREAM SPE GP, LLC, STREAM § SPE, LTD, IGNITE HOLDINGS, LTD., CHRIS § DOMHOFF, ROB SNYDER, PIERRE KOSHAKJI, § DOUGLAS WITT, STEVE FLORES, MICHAEL § TACKER, DONNY ANDERSON, TREY DYER, STEVE § FISHER, RANDY HEDGE, BRIAN LUCIA, LOGAN § STOUT, AND PRESLEY SWAGERTY, § § Defendants. § DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE, FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM AND FOR FAILURE TO PLEAD FRAUD WITH PARTICULARITY TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF AUTHORITIES ........................................................................................................... i I. NATURE AND STAGE OF THE PROCEEDING.............................................................1 II. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................2 III. STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES AND APPLICABLE STANDARDS.............................5 IV. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................6 V. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE ..........................................................9 VI. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM ....................................14 A. Plaintiffs’ mere recitals and conclusory statements do not meet the pleading standards of Rule 8(a)(2) as explained by the United States Supreme Court........14 B. Plaintiffs fail to state a cause of action under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(a).......................16 1. Income derived from a pattern of racketeering..........................................16 2. Used income to acquire interest in or establish an enterprise....................17 3. Enterprise engages in interstate commerce................................................19 4. Injury by reason of the use or investment of racketeering income............20 C. Plaintiffs fail to state a cause of action under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(b).......................21 D. Plaintiffs fail to state a cause of action under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c).......................22 E. Plaintiffs fail to state a cause of action under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d).......................23 VII. MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO PLEAD FRAUD WITH PARTICULARITY............................................................................................................24 VIII. PRAYER............................................................................................................................25 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES FEDERAL CASES Abraham v. Singh, 480 F.3d 351 (5th Cir. 2007)...............................................................20 AK Steel Corp. v. U.S.W., 2002 LEXIS 19676 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 30, 2002).......................22 Alexander v. U.S. Credit Mgmt, Inc., 384 F. Supp. 2d 1003 (N.D. Tex. 2005).................11 Alford v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 975 F.2d 1161 (5th Cir. 1992)...............................14 Armstrong v. Assocs. Int'l Holdings Corp., 242 ................................................................14 Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937 (2009) ................................................................5, 15, 18 Ashe v. Corley, 992 F.2d 540 (5th Cir. 1993)....................................................................23 Atkinson v. Anadarko Bk. & Trust Co., 808 F.2d 438 (5th Cir. 1987) ..............................19 Bachman v. Bear, Sterns & Co., 178 F.3d 930 (7th Cir. 1999).........................................19 Beck v. Prupis, 529 U.S. 494 (2000)..................................................................................23 Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007).................................................14, 15 Bonton v. Archer Chrysler Plymouth, Inc., 889 F. Supp. 995 (S.D. Tex. 1995) ...............18 Boyle v. United States, 129 S. Ct. 2237 (2009)..................................................................18 Brown v. Pacific Life Insurance Co., 462 F.3d 384 (5th Cir. 2006)..................................13 Clark v. National' Equities Holdings, Inc., 561 F. Supp. 632 (E.D. Tex. 2006), aff'd 2008 LEXIS 113 (5th Cir. 2008) .........................................................................18 Crowe v. Henry, 43 F.3d 198 (5th Cir. 1995)....................................................................21 Dillard v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., 961 F.2d 1148 (5th Cir. 1992) ............................................................................................................................14 Fedmet Corp. v. M/V Buyalyki, 194 F.3d 674 (5th Cir. 1999)...........................................12 Fitzgerald v. Chrysler Corp., 116 F.3d 225 (7th Cir. 1997)..............................................19 Fogie v. Thorn, 190 F.3d 889 (8th Cir. 1999)....................................................................19 - i - Grigson v. Creative Artists Agency, L.L.C., 210 F.3d 524 (5th Cir. 2000) .......................13 Holmes v. Securities Investor Protection Corp., 503 U.S. 258 (1992)........................20, 21 Idea Media Corp. v. Encore Mktg Grp, Inc., 2009 LEXIS 3355 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 20, 2009) ......................................................................................................................13 Kessman & Associates, Inc. v. Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc., 10 F. Supp. 2d 682 (S.D. Tex. 1997)....................................................................................................10 Lim v. Offshore Specialty Fabricators, Inc., 404 F.3d 898 (5th Cir. 2005).............5, 10, 11 Montesano v. Seafirst Commercial Corp., 818 F.2d 423 (5th Cir. 1987)..........................18 Nolen v. Nucentrix Broadband Networds, 293 F.3d 926 (5th Cir. 2002)....................15, 20 PacifiCare Health System, Inc. v. Book, 538 U.S. 401 (2003) ..........................................14 Parker & Parsley Petroleum Co. v. Dresser Industries, 972 F.2d 580 (5th Cir. 1992) ............................................................................................................................18 Realpage, Inc. v. EPS, Inc., 560 F. Supp. 2d 539 (E.D. Tex. 2007)..................................10 Recursion Software, Inc. v. Interactive Intelligence, Inc., 425 F. Supp. 2d 756 (N.D. Tex. 2006)..........................................................................................................10 Reves v. Ernst & Young, 507 U.S. 170 (1993)...................................................................23 Scherk v. Alberto-Culver Co., 417 U.S. 506 (1974) ..........................................................10 Shearson/America Exp. Inc. v. McMahon, 482 U.S. 220 (1987).......................................14 U.S. v. Turkette, 452 U.S. 576 (1981)..........................................................................16, 18 U.S. v. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., 125 F.3d 899 (5th Cir. 1997)..........................25 U.S. v. Masters, 924 F.2d 1362 (7th Cir. 1991).................................................................19 Via Viente Taiwan, L.P. v. UPS, 2009 LEXIS 12408 (E.D. Tex. Feb. 17, 2009) .............10 Vimar Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. v. M/V Sky Reefer, 515 U.S. 528 (1995) ....................10 Washington Mutual Finance Group, LLC v. Bailey, 364 F.3d 260 (5th Cir. 2004) ..........13 Williams v. Coldwell Banker First Greenwood-LeFlore Realty, Inc., 2008 LEXIS 35067 (N.D. Miss. Mar. 13, 2008)...............................................................................13 - ii - Williams v. WMX Technologies, Inc., 112 F.3d 175 (5th Cir. 1997).............................5, 24 FEDERAL STATUTES 18 U.S.C. § 1341............................................................................................................2, 17 18 U.S.C. § 1343............................................................................................................2, 17 18 U.S.C. § 1961....................................................................................................15, 16, 24 18 U.S.C. § 1962........................................................................................................ passim 18 U.S.C. § 1964(c) ...............................................................................................15, 22, 24 Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) ............................................................................................5, 17, 24, 25 Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(3)..............................................................................................5, 9, 10 Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)......................................................................................5, 14, 24, 25 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2)..................................................................................................14, 15 - iii - IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS HOUSTON DIVISION JUAN RAMON TORRES and EUGENE ROBISON § § Plaintiffs, § § v. § § CIVIL ACTION NO. SGE MANAGEMENT, LLC, STREAM GAS & § 4:09CV2056 ELECTRIC, LTD, STREAM SPE GP, LLC, STREAM § SPE, LTD, IGNITE HOLDINGS, LTD., CHRIS § DOMHOFF, ROB SNYDER, PIERRE KOSHAKJI, § DOUGLAS WITT, STEVE FLORES, MICHAEL § TACKER, DONNY ANDERSON, TREY DYER, STEVE § FISHER, RANDY HEDGE, BRIAN LUCIA, LOGAN § STOUT, AND PRESLEY SWAGERTY, § § Defendants. § DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS FOR IMPROPER VENUE, FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM AND FOR FAILURE TO PLEAD FRAUD WITH PARTICULARITY TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID
Recommended publications
  • March 3 – 4, 2016 • Addison, Texas
    March 3 – 4, 2016 • Addison, Texas www.dsa.org/companiesinfocus #DSACIF Welcome to DSA’s Companies in Focus Seminar! DSA staff are available at the hotel and at each host company location to help you make the most of your time here. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We will be traveling together around the greater Addison area, and buses will leave promptly. Be sure you are on board prior to departure so you don’t miss your valuable experience with our host companies. Please note: your name badge is your passport to all Companies in Focus events, including those taking place at our host companies’ headquarters, so please wear it prominently at all times. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi at the hotel. Use code DSA16 Share your seminar experiences! Use the hashtag #DSACIF Schedule-at-a-Glance Thursday, March 3 7:30 – 10:00 a.m. Registration Malachite Foyer 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Breakfast & opening general session Malachite Showroom 10:15 a.m. Buses depart en route to AdvoCare South Entrance 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. AdvoCare tour, presentations and lunch AdvoCare Headquarters 4:00 p.m. Buses depart en route to hotel 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. General session Malachite Showroom Featuring Kerry Brown, CMO and Pat Johnston, CSO, Stream 5:45 – 7:00 p.m. Reception Garden Court 1 & 2 Friday, March 4 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration Malachite Foyer 7:30 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Malachite Showroom 8:45 a.m. Buses depart en route to Mary Kay South Entrance 9:15 – 3:00 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservative Income
    December 2015 Issue No 29 Your Complete Guide to Earning Lifelong Income from Essential Services In this Issue Talking Utility Stocks CONTENTS I’m hosting an exclusive online chat for Conrad’s Utility Investor subscribers at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 9. The format is simple: You ask me any questions on Picks and Pans your mind; I stay online until all questions are answered. And don’t worry if you for the New Year 2 can’t stick around for the entirety of this marathon discussion; a transcript of the proceedings will be available the next morning. Endangered Dividends 7 We’ll discuss macro developments or specific stocks covered in my Utility Report Card—whatever’s on your mind. Portfolio: Given the severe downdraft in oil and gas prices since summer 2014, I expect All Eyes on 2016 8 to receive a lot of questions about our outlook for these commodities and mid- Aggressive Income Portfolio stream energy names that own pipelines and other infrastructure. Top 10 DRIPs The indiscriminate selling of these stocks has propelled yields into the strato- Conservative Income Portfolio sphere, reflecting concerns about volumetric and counterparty risks and ques- tions about these companies’ ability to grow or even sustain their distributions. Conservative Income 13 With the debt and equity markets effectively closed for many energy stocks, fund- WEC Energy Group ing remaining growth projects will be a challenge. Although master limited partnerships (MLP) and other midstream operators face Aggressive Income 14 real challenges, the selloff afflicting these names has engulfed survivors whose Exelon Corp growth prospects remain intact.
    [Show full text]
  • In the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    Case: 14-20128 Document: 00513700292 Page: 1 Date Filed: 09/30/2016 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit No. 14-20128 FILED September 30, 2016 Lyle W. Cayce JUAN RAMON TORRES; EUGENE ROBISON, Clerk Plaintiffs - Appellees v. S.G.E. MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.; STREAM GAS & ELECTRIC, L.T.D.; STREAM S.P.E. G.P., L.L.C; STREAM S.P.E., L.T.D.; IGNITE HOLDINGS, L.T.D; ET AL, Defendants - Appellants Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Before STEWART, Chief Judge, and JOLLY, DAVIS, JONES, SMITH, WIENER, DENNIS, CLEMENT, PRADO, OWEN, ELROD, SOUTHWICK, HAYNES, GRAVES, HIGGINSON, and COSTA, Circuit Judges. WIENER and COSTA, Circuit Judges, joined by STEWART, Chief Judge, and DAVIS, SMITH, DENNIS, PRADO, ELROD, SOUTHWICK, GRAVES, HIGGINSON, Circuit Judges : The Plaintiffs-Appellees brought a civil action under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–68, alleging that Stream Energy, through its multi-level marketing program, Ignite, as well as a number of other defendants, (collectively the “Defendants”) operated a fraudulent pyramid scheme. The Plaintiffs allege that the fraud has Case: 14-20128 Document: 00513700292 Page: 2 Date Filed: 09/30/2016 No. 14-20128 caused them financial losses. The district court certified a class of plaintiffs (the “Plaintiffs”), comprising those who lost money participating as Independent Associates (“IAs”) in Ignite’s program. We now review that certification en banc. I. Stream Energy sells gas and electricity to customers in Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia.
    [Show full text]
  • NRG Energy, Inc. (Exact Name of Registrant As Specified in Its Charter) Delaware 41-1724239 (State Or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation Or Organization) (I.R.S
    UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-K ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2020. ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition period from to . Commission file No. 001-15891 NRG Energy, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 41-1724239 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 804 Carnegie Center , Princeton , New Jersey 08540 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (609) 524-4500 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Exchange on Which Registered Common Stock, par value $0.01 NRG New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
    [Show full text]
  • In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division
    Case 4:09-cv-02056 Document 60 Filed in TXSD on 09/23/11 Page 1 of 120 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS HOUSTON DIVISION Juan Ramon Torres and Eugene Robison, Complaint – Class Action Plaintiffs, vs. Civil Action No. 4:09-cv-2056 SGE Management, LLC; Stream Gas & Electric, Ltd.; Stream SPE GP, LLC; Stream SPE, Ltd.; Ignite Holdings, Ltd; Chris Domhoff; Rob Snyder; Pierre Koshakji; Douglas Witt; Steve Flores; Michael Tacker; Donny Anderson; Trey Dyer; Steve Fisher; Randy Hedge; Brian Lucia; Logan Stout; Presley Swagerty; and Jury Demanded SGE Energy Management, Ltd.; SGE IP Holdco, LLC; SGE Georgia Holdco, LLC; SGE Serviceco, LLC; SGE Consultants, LLC; Stream Georgia Gas SPE, LLC; Stream Texas Serviceco, LLC; SGE Ignite GP Holdco, LLC; SGE Texas Holdco, LLC; SGE North America Serviceco, LLC; PointHigh Partners, LP; PointHigh Management Company, LLC; Darryl Smith; Susan Anderson; Mark Dean; La Dohn Dean; A.E. “Trey” Dyer, III; Sally Kay Dyer; Dyer Energy, Inc.; Diane Fisher; Kingdom Brokerage, Inc.; Fisher Energy, LLC; Susan Fisher; Mark Florez; The Randy Hedge Companies Inc.; Murlle, LLC; Robert L. Ledbetter; Sue Ledbetter; Beth Lucia; Greg McCord; Heather McCord; Rose Energy Group, Inc.; Timothy W. Rose; Shannon Rose; LHS, Inc.; Haley Stout; Property Line Management, LLC; Property Line LP; Swagerty Management, LLC; Swagerty Energy, Ltd; Swagerty Enterprises, LP; Swagerty Enterprises, Inc.; Swagerty, Inc.; Swagerty Power, Ltd.; Jeannie Case 4:09-cv-02056 Document 60 Filed in TXSD on 09/23/11 Page 2 of 120 E. Swagerty; Sache, Inc.; Terry Yancy; and Shelba Yancy, Defendants.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on Direct Selling Through Multi Level Marketing
    International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 1, Issue 4, September-2012 1 ISSN 2278-7763 A Study On Direct Selling Through Multi Level Marketing F. MARY MERLIN Department of Management Studies, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, India. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Direct selling is a multi-level marketing in which the sales force is compensated not only for the sales they make but also for the sales done through their recruit. This recruited sales force is referred to as the participants who can provide multiple levels of compensation. A person's job would be to recruit others to sell their product, and in return, receive a percentage of their sales. The next person's job then is to recruit people even more so below them, and receive a percentage of their sales. Other terms for Multi-level marketing include network marketing and referral marketing. Commonly, the salespeople are expected to sell products directly to consumers by means of relationship through referrals marketing. Some people use direct selling as a synonym for MLM, although MLM is only one type of direct selling Keywords : Multi-Level Marketing, Direct Selling, Traditional Marketing. 1 INTRODUCTION evolution of direct selling. According to Biggart, direct selling has grown to become a major form of commercial activity in Direct selling is marketing and transaction of consumer goods the US, despite encountering opposition from other sectors of directly to the consumer; it does not depend on direct mail, the business community during various stages in its product advertising or fixed retail outlets. Self-governing sales development.
    [Show full text]
  • Response to Petition for Rehearing
    Case: 14-20128 Document: 00513316787 Page: 1 Date Filed: 12/21/2015 No. 14-20128 In the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ————————————————————— JUAN RAMON TORRES; EUGENE ROBISON, Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. SGE MANAGEMENT, LLC; STREAM GAS & ELECTRIC, LTD.; STREAM SPE. GP, LLC; STREAM SPE, LTD; IGNITE HOLDINGS, LTD; ET AL., Defendants-Appellants. ————————————————————— On Petition for Review from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, Case No. 4:09-CV-02056 ————————————————————— RESPONSE TO THE PETITION FOR REHEARING EN BANC ————————————————————— Michael K. Hurst James C. Ho John F. Guild Robert C. Walters GRUBER HURST JOHANSEN HAIL Prerak Shah SHANK LLP GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 2500 2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1100 Dallas, Texas 75202 Dallas, Texas 75201-6912 Telephone: (214) 855-6800 Telephone: (214) 698-3100 Facsimile: (214) 855-6808 Facsimile: (214) 571-2934 Vanessa J. Rush STREAM ENERGY 1950 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 3000 Dallas, TX 75207 Telephone: (214) 800-4464 Facsimile: (214) 560-1354 COUNSEL FOR APPELLANTS Case: 14-20128 Document: 00513316787 Page: 2 Date Filed: 12/21/2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Authorities .................................................................................................iii Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 Argument..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jernard Griggs, Sge Management
    CAUSE NO. 17-50655 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT __________ JERNARD GRIGGS, PLAINTIFF - APPELLANT V. S.G.E. MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.; STREAM GAS & ELECTRIC, LIMITED, DOING BUSINESS AS STREAM ENERGY; STREAM S.P.E. G.P., L.L.C; STREAM S.P.E., LIMITED; IGNITE HOLDINGS, LIMITED, FORMERLY KNOWN AS IGNITE ENERGY, LIMITED, DOING BUSINESS AS IGNITE, DOING BUSINESS AS IGNITE POWERED BY STREAM ENERGY; CHRIS DOMHOFF; ROB SNYDER; PIERRE KOSHAKJI; DOUGLAS WITT; STEVE FLORES; MICHAEL TACKER; DONNY ANDERSON; STEVE FISHER; RANDY HEDGE; LOGAN STOUT; PRESLEY SWAGERTY, DEFENDANTS - APPELLEES __________ ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AUSTIN DIVISION CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:15-CV-422 __________ APPELLANT’S BRIEF __________ Scott M. Clearman Texas State Bar No. 04350090 2518 South Blvd. Houston, Texas 77098 Telephone: 713.304.9669 Facsimile: 877.519.2800 THE CLEARMAN LAW FIRM, PLLC Attorney for the Appellant CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS The undersigned counsel of record certifies that these listed persons and entities have an interest in the outcome. These representations are made so the Judges of this Court may evaluate possible disqualification or recusal. 1. Jernard Griggs Plaintiff-Appellant 2. Scott M. Clearman The Clearman Law Firm, PLLC 2518 South Blvd. Houston, Texas 77098 Counsel for Plaintiff-Appellant 3. SGE Management, LLC Defendant-Appellee 4. Stream Gas & Electric, Ltd. Defendant-Appellee 5. Stream SPE GP, LLC Defendant-Appellee 6. Stream SPE, Ltd. Defendant-Appellee 7. Ignite Holdings, Ltd. Defendant-Appellee 8. Chris Domhoff Defendant-Appellee 9. Rob Snyder Defendant-Appellee -ii- 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Direct Selling 2015
    DIRECT SELLING 2015 Our Unique Position In The You Economy. RANK 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Avon USA Alticor /Amway Alticor /Amway Alticor/Amway Alticor/Amway 1 $11.30B USA $11.30B USA $11.80B USA $10.80B USA $9.50B Alticor /Amway Avon USA Avon USA Avon USA Avon USA 2 USA $10.90B $10.70B $9.95B $8,90B $6.16B Herbalife USA Herbalife USA Herbalife USA Herbalife USA Herbalife USA 3 $3.50B $4.10B $4.80B $5.00B $4.47B Natura Cosmeticos Vorwerk Germany Vorwerk Germany Mary Kay USA Vorwerk Germany 4 Brazil $3.01B $3.30B $3.70B $4.00B $4.00B Vorwerk Germany Natura Cosmeticos Mary Kay USA Vorwerk Germany Infinitus China 5 $3.00B Brazil $3.20B $3.60B $3.90B $3.88B Mary Kay USA Mary Kay USA Natura Cosmeticos Natura Cosmeticos Mary Kay USA 6 $2.90B $3.10B Brazil $3.20B Brazil $3.20B $3.70B Tupperware USA Tupperware USA Nu Skin USA Infinitus China Perfect USA 7 $2.60B $2.60B $3.18B $2.64B $3.58B Oriflame Luxemburg Nu Skin USA Tupperware USA Tupperware USA Natura Cosmeticos 8 $2.01B $2.20B $2.67B $2.60B Brazil $2.41B Nu Skin USA Oriflame Luxemburg Belcorp Peru Nu Skin USA Tupperware USA 9 $1.70B $2.00B $1.96B $2.57B $2.28B Belcorp Peru Belcorp Peru Oriflame Luxemburg JoyMain China Nu Skin USA 10 $1.60B $1.90B $1.95B $2.00B $2.25B Primerica Financial Primerica Financial Primerica Financial Oriflame Luxemburg Tiens China 11 USA $1.10B USA $1.20B USA $1.27B $1.68B $1.55B Ignite Stream Energy Pola Japan Ambit Energy USA Ambit Energy USA Primerica Financial 12 USA $861M $1.20B $1.20B $1.50B USA $1.41B Telecom Plus UK Miki Japan Telecom Plus UK Belcorp Peru
    [Show full text]
  • Counselor William Blumenthal Office of the General Counsel Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580
    DEMAND LETTER TO: ,,-cbER': ........ Counselor William Blumenthal Office of the General Counsel Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 DEMAND LETTER FROM: The MLM Distributor Rights Association (DRA) From: Cheryl Gonzalez, President DRA, & Rod Cook, Chairman of the Board DRA 407 Prinz Drive San Antonio, TX 78213; 2410 Cinco Woods San Antonio, TX 78259 ~f::v.: o: SUBJECT: Re:FTC Proposed Business Opportunity Rule, R511993 ~ " Dear Madam Majoras: WHAT IS THE MLM DISTRIBUTOR RIGHTS ASSOCIATION? The Distributor Rights Association is the only non-profit organization in the MLM- Network Marketing category of the Direct Sales Industry. The DRA represents approximately 1.2 million MLM Distributors through the "downlines" represented. It consists of work-from-home distributors in the Network Marketing Industry. This distributor force is comprised of single morns who get to stay at home with their children, retirees, disabled people who find it difficult to leave the house, entrepreneurs with big dreams to take their lives to the next level and others who simply need an easy way to supplement their income in order to support their families. It was founded because of injustices to MLM distributors by immoral MLM companies who put profits in front of their promises of residual income to distributors. These companies however are in the minority as most are legitimate businesses that offer fair and just entrepreneurial ways for their distributors to make extra money. The DRA promotes communication between MLM Distributors and the companies, which is our way of policing the industry and giving the distributors a place where they feel their voice can be heard and they will have people in their corner.
    [Show full text]
  • The 500 Largest Direct Sales Companies in the World 2019 BY
    The 500 Largest Direct Sales Companies In The World 2019 BY TEAM BUSINESS FOR HOME JANUARY 3, 2019 This list is in $USA and in real time, meaning if we validate / add / adjust the revenue for a company this list will be updated and the ranking will change instantly. Below figures are “What we know now”, and based on 2018 revenue. For a number of private companies we have estimated the revenue based on the number of employees (1 employee = $1 million in sales), facebook talking about, public information, and we estimate on the low side. For Euro to $USA (Vorwerk – Oriflame) we calculate with 1 Euro = $1.13 for 2018. For holdings / parents (Youngevity, Vorwerk etc) we do not list the revenue of subsidiaries. If you want to share information or adjust below revenue, please log a support ticket. Since 10 years we handle information confidential and NEVER reveal our sources. If you want to add a company please check this page. # Company Revenue 2018 Revenue 2017 Change Country 1 Amway 8,800 8,600 2% US 2 Avon Products 5,571 5,715 -3% US 3 Herbalife 4,892 4,428 10% US 4 Vorwerk 4,300 4,019 7% DE 5 Infinitus 4,100 3,920 5% CN 6 Natura Cosmeticos 3,370 3,090 9% BR 7 Mary Kay 3,000 3,250 -8% US 8 Nu Skin 2,680 2,279 18% US 9 Forever Living 2,500 2,600 -4% US 10 Melaleuca 2,100 2,000 5% US 11 Coway 2,100 2,050 2% KR 12 Tupperware 2,070 2,256 -8% US 13 Perfect China 2,000 2,960 -32% CN 14 Young Living 1,900 1,500 27% US # Company Revenue 2018 Revenue 2017 Change Country 15 Primerica 1,899 1,689 12% US 16 DoTerra 1,700 1,650 3% US 17 JoyMain Int.
    [Show full text]
  • 1-800-Partyshop F.A.I.T.H. Company Maakoa Tag Team Marketing International, Inc
    1-800-PartyShop F.A.I.T.H. Company Maakoa Tag Team Marketing International, Inc. Tahitian Noni International / TNI 10KWEB Family Health Network M2CGlobal (formerly Morinda) 12DailyPro / 12dailypro.com Family of Eagles Magic Learning Systems Take Shape for Life | Medifast Inc. Family Vacation Network (FVN) – new, 1CellNet ‘prelaunching February, 2013′ Magic Power Coffee Talk Fusion 1StepSystem / 1StepSystem2Freedom.com FantasyFootballCash.com Magnus Enterprises TamPogo Mama’s Direct, Inc. (MDI) – pre- 21stNetwork.com Fifth Avenue Collection, Ltd. launch in 2012 TARRAH Cosmetics, Inc. 21Ten Financial Destination Inc / FDI Man Cave Taste of Gourmet 2by2.net / Mall Ventures, Inc. – closed by FTC 2004 First Fitness International Mandura Tastefully Simple, Inc. 2Xtreme Performance International First Marketing Group Manna Life International Team Effort International / MyVideoTalk Team National / National Companies 3 To Freedom First3cycle Mannatech, Incorporated Inc. / BigN 30fold (VSTR.PK) Fit For Business Inc. MannaZo Global TeamVinh International 4 the Good Life Five Star Auto Club Market America, Inc. Tel-a-Nation.com 4-E Corporation – Now Ecomates, a division of Ethos Environmental Inc. Five x 5 MarketClub Telehop 4Life Research / 4HealthDirect – Telephone Information Systems founded in 1998 FKC International Marpé International (Pleasure Time) 5LINX Flantech Mary Kay, Inc. TeleVerus 888.biz Flying Frog Incorporated Matol Botanical International TeleWrx / Converge Global, Inc. 8Point Communications FM Group Matrix Management Group Terra-bioTech AA-Turbo Charge Marketing Forever Freedom International / FFI Max International, MaxGXL The Art of Better Living The Balance Company / TBC Abunza Forever Living, L.L.C / FLP. Maxous Network Worldwide, Inc. MAXXIS Group, Inc. / MAXXIS 2000 Acai Plus / TriUnity International ForeverGreen / Frequensea – in Chapt.
    [Show full text]