Wisconsin Department of Justice Announces Judgement Against Florida Companies for Scam Targeting Wisconsin Businesses

Thursday, August 15th, 2024 -- 1:01 PM

Attorney General Josh Kaul announced the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured a judgment against two Florida-based companies and their owners in connection with a business certificate scam that targeted thousands of Wisconsin businesses.

The judgment requires the Defendants to pay over $3.5 million in total, including more than $600,000 to refund businesses affected by the Defendants’ illegal conduct. The DOJ, based on a referral from DATCP, sued Florida-based Centurion Filing Services, LLC, which operated as “WI Certificate Service,” in September 2022.

The lawsuit alleged Centurion sent to Wisconsin businesses tens of thousands of mailers that appeared to be from a government office and asked recipients to purchase a Certificate of Status at a cost of $72.50.

In truth, businesses are not required to purchase a Certificate of Status; businesses that wish to do so can easily order the form from the Department of Financial Institutions for $10. More than 7,000 Wisconsin businesses placed orders with Defendants and are entitled to a refund under the Court’s order.

The lawsuit also named Centurion’s owners, Dean Marshlack, David Marshlack, and Brian Capobianco, as Defendants, alleging that they had knowledge and control of the company’s illegal activities.

The lawsuit was later amended to also include Corporate Certificates, LLC, a related business owned by the same individuals and engaged in the same illegal conduct. The Court’s ruling found all five Defendants liable.

The Court’s judgment requires the Defendants to send refund notices to every Wisconsin business that placed an order with them and refund each business $72.50 per order. In total, the Defendants are required to pay over $626,000 in refunds.

The Court also ordered the Defendants to pay more than $2.8 million in monetary penalties and costs. The judgment was entered by Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost. A copy of the Court’s liability ruling, the Court’s final judgment, and a list of businesses entitled to a refund are included below.

Wisconsin businesses included on this list and who have questions about the refund process may contact DOJ’s Public Protection Unit by phone (608-266-1852) or email ([email protected]).

The State was represented in this case by Assistant Attorney General Colin Stroud, with support from Paralegals Wendy Phifer and Barbara Burr. The case was investigated and referred by DATCP staff Carmen Reeder, Nicole Raisbeck, and attorney Paul LaZotte.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.