On September 19, 2024, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael T. Mullen approved a Consent Decree that settled a consumer fraud lawsuit brought by the Illinois Attorney General against Teleperformance Columbia SAS, TPUSA Inc, and Teleperformance SE (collectively “Teleperformance”).  The lawsuit alleged that Teleperformance engaged in unlawful marketing practices on behalf of several alternative retail electric suppliers (“ARES”), and deceived Illinois consumers into switching from their public utility companies to more expensive contracts with ARES. The settlement requires Teleperformance to pay $10 million and cease marketing activities on behalf of ARES in Illinois until 2026.  Should Teleperformance resume marketing, it also agreed to monitoring by an independent monitor, additional reporting requirements, and employee training to prevent future violations.  A copy of the Consent Decree may be accessed here.  A copy of the Illinois Attorney General’s press release is available here.

Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C., along with Illinois-based firms Edelson PC and Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., have been designated as Special Assistant Attorneys General (“SPAAGs”) to assist in the Teleperformance matter.  MBG attorneys working on this matter are Benjamin Blustein, Robert Libman, Matthew Owens, Paul Balik, Bernardo Lopez, and Allie Lee.