Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has achieved a legal victory against Wall & Associates, Inc., a tax debt settlement company based in Virginia. Following a 12-day trial, the court found that the company and its owner and CEO knowingly deceived hundreds of Minnesotans who sought help to resolve their tax debts. The court determined that Wall's claims of being a local law firm with a track record of settling clients' tax debts for 10% of what was owed were false.
The court has ordered Wall to stop its deceptive practices in Minnesota permanently. Additionally, it ruled that the company must refund fees paid by affected Minnesota clients and pay civil penalties as well as the state's attorneys' fees and costs, with specific amounts to be decided later.
Attorney General Ellison highlighted the negative impact on consumers who were "facing the intimidating task of fending off the IRS . . . by using false and deceptive practices." He expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating: “Preying on folks facing financial hardship is as low as it gets, which makes Wall & Associates’ deception and conning of Minnesotans looking for help with tax debt all the more disgraceful."
The court also held E. Kenneth Wall, owner, and P. Mark Yates, CEO, personally liable for their roles in promoting misleading settlement rate claims. It found them responsible for misrepresenting Wall as a local company, law firm, and tax preparation business—all untrue assertions according to evidence presented during the trial.
Ellison urges public vigilance against companies preying on those in financial distress. Information about such scams is available through his office's publication titled Tax Relief Scams. Minnesotans who believe they have been scammed are encouraged to report incidents via an online form or by phone.