Van Hollen
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has filed a consumer protection enforcement action against a Milwaukee resident, alleging that her Internet-based business failed to deliver merchandise ordered through her website.
Joyce Gray allegedly used the website My.FlowerGirls.net to solicit orders for made-to-order special occasion dresses for Christian D' Gray Fashion Design Inc., her business. Gray has done business under multiple names, including Christian D' Gray Couture and Flower Girl Dresses by Christian D' Gray.
The complaint alleges that Gray, promising prompt delivery, took upfront payments for dresses that were custom made for special occasions.
Gray allegedly repeatedly failed to deliver purchased items or refund customers' payments. She also falsely told customers that their dresses had been shipped when they had not been.
As a result of earlier consumer complaints, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued a special order against Gray in 2008 requiring her to clearly state estimated delivery dates and to either ship the goods or to provide a full refund by the delivery date.
The new complaint alleges that Gray has repeatedly violated the special order by failing to deliver products on time and by failing to provide refunds.
Each special order violation carries between $25 and $5,000 in fines, along with a civil forfeiture of between $100 and $10,000. Gray can also be required to provide restitution to injured consumers.