Charles Garis settles Blueprint to Wealth fraud with FTC
Charles Joseph Garis Jr. has settled Blueprint to Wealth fraud charges with the FTC.
As part of his filed September 13th settlement, Garis Jr. consented to a $567,313 monetary judgment.
Based on sworn financial statements provided to the FTC by Garis Jr., the parties have agreed to a reduced $100,000 suspended judgment.
Other conditions imposed on Garis include:
- a ban on participating in “money-making methods” (defined as “not generally available to the public, and will generate income for users or prospective purchasers”);
- a ban on the sale of investment opportunities;
- a ban on telemarketing; and
- prohibition on making misrepresentations and unsubstantiated claims
The FTC filed suit against Garis Jr., Bob Shafer and Samuel James Smith in December 2023.
Shafer, Smith and Garis Jr. are alleged to have been behind
a sprawling business opportunity scheme that has taken in millions of dollars from consumers with bogus promises of huge returns.
The scam went by a few names, of which “Blueprint to Wealth” was cited by the FTC. BehindMLM came across the scam in 2022 via Shafer’s promotional efforts.
Samuel James Smith settled with the FTC in June 2024. Bob Shafer settled in August 2024.
With all three Blueprint to Wealth scammers having settled, it’s expected the FTC’s case will be closed.
As at time of publication that hasn’t happened yet but I’ll keep an eye on the docket to confirm.