- Illinois AG Kwame Raoul sued marketing company Southeast Energy Consultants LLC, which acquires customers on behalf of alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES), for allegedly deceiving consumers into switching from their public utility companies to more expensive contracts with ARES in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Illinois Telephone Solicitations Act (ITSA).
- As alleged in the complaint, Southeast Energy Consultants engaged in fraudulent, unfair, and deceptive business practices to market and sell electricity services to Illinois consumers by making false claims that consumers would save money on their electric bills by purchasing contracts with ARES and misrepresenting that its agents were affiliated with public utility companies seeking to enroll customers in lower-cost state-sponsored programs. The complaint also alleges that Southeast Energy Consultants made calls to consumers without stating the purpose of the call and requesting consent to continue with the solicitation as required by the ITSA.
- The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, revocation of authority to do business in Illinois, attorney’s fees and costs, restitution, and civil penalties, including an additional $50,000 for each violation committed against an older or disabled Illinois resident, and other relief.