Business & Tech

Humorous Ads By Empire Today Not So Funny In Riverside County

The flooring company was ordered to pay penalties associated with deceptive advertising.

Silly television ads promising low prices on flooring may not have been completely truthful.

Today a Riverside County Superior Court judge ordered Delaware-based Empire Today, LLC to pay $330,720 in civil penalties and costs in a civil lawsuit filed alleging deceptive advertisements and violations of California’s contractor’s law.

Possible violations of law were brought to the attention of investigators from both the Riverside and San Diego counties district attorney offices. Complaints pertained to television, print and Internet advertising done by the flooring company, according to a news release from the Riverside County DA’s office.

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“Empire’s promotions failed to adequately disclose limitations on its advertised products and services. During the investigation it was also found that, in 2010, Empire Today, LLC asked for and received payment in full before beginning work, which is a violation of California’s contractor’s law, which limits contractors to only collecting the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price as a down payment before beginning work,” the news release read.

Under the final judgment, Empire Today must pay $330,720 in civil penalties and costs that will be divided equally between the two prosecuting agencies.

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