Last Updated
Case Status
Pending
Federal Trade Commission, 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 FTC that include monetary judgements, industry bans, and prohibitions on certain conduct.