HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a $40,000 settlement with a Florida-based company accused of impersonating a state agency to solicit payments from newly registered Pennsylvania businesses.
The settlement resolves allegations that PA Corporate Certificates, LLC sent letters that appeared to come from the Pennsylvania Department of State to sell Subsistence Certificates, the Attorney General’s Office said.
Authorities said the company charged $102.50 for the certificates, which are available from the state for $40 and are often not required for many businesses.
Nearly 2,000 Pennsylvania business owners paid the higher price, and some did not receive the certificate, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
“Today’s settlement will return thousands of dollars to Pennsylvania business owners who paid for documentation they likely did not need,” Sunday said.
The agreement requires PA Corporate Certificates and its owners—Brian Capobiano, Dean Marshlack, and David Marshlack—to cease operations in Pennsylvania and prohibits them from soliciting or selling subsistence certificates in the state.
The case was filed in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas and is pending court approval.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said the Department of State referred the matter to the Attorney General and provided a list of affected business owners eligible for restitution.
Under the terms of the consent petition, the settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.
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