Fla. Sues Publishers Clearing House

By DAVID ROYSE
08:40 PM ET 09/22/99

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida's attorney general sued Publishers Clearing House, saying the company isn't doing enough to change the way it runs its magazine promotions. The lawsuit charges that Publishers Clearing House preyed on senior citizens by sending personalized mailings with disclaimers that were too small to read and letting consumers think they had to buy magazines or merchandise to win a prize.

``Months of negotiations with Publishers Clearing House have failed to produce any meaningful changes to the deceptive solicitations mailed out by the company,'' Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth said. ``The time has come to let the court decide this matter.''

Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Washington and Wisconsin also have sued the company.

The Florida suit seeks $40 million for Florida consumers plus civil penalties against the Port Washington, N.Y.-based company. Butterworth has urged Florida residents not to participate in a proposed national settlement, which would cover everyone who bought something from the company between 1992 and 1999. A hearing on the settlement is scheduled Dec. 20.

A spokesman for Publishers Clearing House said the company has been addressing Butterworth's concerns.

The company now contacts people who frequently buy magazine subscriptions to make sure they understand they don't have to buy something to win a prize, said Christopher Irving, the company's director of consumer affairs.

``Publishers Clearing House speaks to them on the phone and, if they are confused, removes them from our mailing list,'' Irving said.

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