Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a significant judgment against Missouri-based timeshare exit company Relief Solutions International, requiring them to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties and refund all Wisconsin customers. Kaul expressed, "This judgment provides relief for Wisconsin consumers and holds the owners of this timeshare exit company accountable. Thank you to those at DOJ and DATCP whose stellar work led to this result."
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski added, "I am pleased that Relief Solutions International is being held accountable for the harm they did to Wisconsin consumers, and that affected consumers will receive refunds."
The court found that Relief Solutions International, owned by Philip Russell Turner, II, and Burton Cummings, sent illegal mailers to Wisconsin residents to lure them into purchasing expensive "timeshare exit" services. Turner and Cummings were personally held liable for the company's actions.
In addition to the monetary penalty, the defendants are required to refund over $20,000 to specific Wisconsin consumers and allow all others who paid money to request refunds for a period of five years. The court's order also prohibits the defendants from marketing or selling timeshare exit services in Wisconsin without prior notification to DATCP.
The judgment, entered by Dane County Circuit Court Judge Diane Schlipper, was finalized on March 12, 2024. Wisconsin consumers seeking refunds can contact the DOJ's Public Protection Unit for assistance.
Assistant Attorney General Colin Stroud, along with Paralegal Lisa Rossman and Legal Associate Barbara Burr, represented the state in this case.