DES MOINES — A telemarketer and the Alabama-based telemarketing firm he works for have agreed to settle allegations by the Iowa Attorney General's Office that the solicitor lied about being blind and about sales of products helping those who are disabled.
According to the Iowa Attorney General's Office, John Michael Zampier III, who worked as a telemarketer for Life Quest to sell a variety of household products such as light bulbs and air fresheners, deceived customers with highly marked up products and about his disability as well as falsely stating some sale proceeds would go toward helping other blind people.
During a telemarketing call to the Iowa Consumer Protection Division's "undercover line," Zampieri stated he was hit by a drunk driver and lost an eye in the accident, the Attorney General's Office said. Zampieri faced similar charges in 2012 and had agreed not to participate in telemarketing calls in Iowa, according to the Attorney General's Office.
“We have repeatedly uncovered deceptive practices by Zampieri’s operations. This is egregious conduct,” said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller in a statement. “It’s sad that such companies take advantage of generous Iowans. Be wary of dubious operations that play upon your sympathies.”
The settlement includes Zampieri and Life Quest paying $12,000 to customers in Iowa who purchased products and $12,000 to the state, according to Miller's office.