Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced the filing of a lawsuit against PA Corporate Certificates, LLC, a Florida-based company, and its owners. The lawsuit alleges that the company impersonated the Pennsylvania Department of State to deceive newly-registered business owners into purchasing unnecessary Subsistence Certificates at inflated prices.
The legitimate cost of a Subsistence Certificate is $40; however, PA Corporate Certificates allegedly charged $102.50 and collected payments from over 1,000 business owners. To execute this scheme, the company reportedly sent letters resembling official correspondence from the Department of State and misrepresented the necessity of these certificates.
“This out-of-state company preyed on new business owners by allegedly impersonating a government agency,” Attorney General Henry stated. “Entrepreneurs and new businesses revitalize local economies and enhance communities, so the Office of Attorney General takes very seriously any and all attempts to exploit business owners.”
Business owners who received such letters are urged to file complaints with the Office of Attorney General either online or by calling 1-800-441-2555.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include Brian Capobiano, Dean Marshlack, and David Marshlack. Both the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Office of Attorney General have issued warnings about this scam, believing that many Pennsylvania business owners have been affected.
The legal action seeks an injunction from Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas to halt operations in Pennsylvania by these defendants. It also demands full refunds for affected business owners along with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.