Yesterday, Attorney General Josh Kaul announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), acting on a referral from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), filed a civil enforcement action against Florida-based Centurion Filing Services, LLC.
According to the complaint, since 2020 Centurion—operating under the name “WI Certificate Service”—has sent tens of thousands of deceptive mailers to newly-created Wisconsin businesses. The mailers, which are designed to look like government invoices, encourage recipients to order a “Certificate of Status” for $72.50. However, businesses can request the same form directly from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) for $10. The complaint alleges that, as a result of Centurion’s scheme, over 6,000 Wisconsin businesses responded to the illegal mailers.
The Wisconsin DOJ’s lawsuit also names as Defendants Centurion’s principals and owners, Dean Marshlack, David Marshlack, and Brian Capobianco. The lawsuit seeks restitution for businesses harmed by the illegal conduct, civil forfeitures, and to bar Centurion from further violations.