LA City Attorney and Santa Barbara County DA Secure Nearly $4.8 Million Judgement and Permanent Injunction Against Fire Protection Company
LOS ANGELES and SANTA BARBARA—City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto and Santa Barbara District Attorney John T. Savrnoch July 22 announced that a default judgment had been granted in a consumer protection case brought on behalf of the People of the State of California against defendants Sunseeker Enterprises, Inc. or DBA Sun FireDefense and owner James Moseley over numerous misleading claims made about their spray-on coating – “SPF3000 Clear Spray” – which purported to protect homes from wildfires. The judgment, which also includes nearly $4.8 million in civil penalties and restitution to victimized homeowners, permanently enjoins the Defendants from making false advertising claims about SPF3000.
“Putting a stop to deceptive and unfair business practices that put consumers in harm’s way is one of the key reasons we formed a Public Rights Branch in my administration,” said Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles City Attorney. “This judgment is a testament to the importance of the work we do. The result reaffirms our commitment to public safety and consumer protection and holds bad actors accountable when they engage in unfair, unlawful or deceptive business practices that lull consumers into a false sense of security when wildfires occur.”
In addition to being liable for civil penalties and consumer restitution of $4.8 million, the Defendants are also permanently enjoined and prohibited from violating the False Advertising Law, Business and Professions Code 17500. Among the many false claims, as alleged in the complaint, they can no longer make in advertisements about SPF3000 are claims that:
- It protects against heat and embers up to 3,000 degrees;
- It is effective for 5+ years after a single application;
- It is non-toxic to humans and animals;
- It was developed in collaboration with NASA; and
- It has been endorsed by the National Fire Protection Association, the Discovery Channel, and the Los Angeles Times, among others.
Deputy City Attorneys William Pletcher, Louisa Kirakosian, and Alexandra Aurisch, of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office Public Rights Branch, and Senior Deputy District Attorneys Christopher Dalbey and Morgan Lucas, of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit, litigated this matter.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Case No. 19CV04083
The People of the State of California vs Sunseeker Enterprises Inc et al.
Default Judgment
South L.A. Seniors Receive Free Air Conditioners, Utility Bill Discounts & Heat Safety Resources
LOS ANGELES — More than 300 South L.A. community members attended the Cool LA Heat Relief for Seniors event hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power or LADWP, Los Angeles Department of Aging, and KBLA Talk 1580. The event was held at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center Phoenix Hall in Watts.
About 250 portable room air conditioners were distributed free of charge to attendees aged 60 and over who pre-qualified for the giveaway. Guests were also able to sign up on-the-spot for LADWP financial assistance programs such as EZ-SAVE and Lifeline, and learn about other money-saving programs. LADWP recruiters were also available to talk to job seekers.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker of Council District 15 noted, “We know the City of Los Angeles is experiencing an increasing number of hot days, year over year, and that some areas, and some populations, are more vulnerable than others. This is why it is critically important to hold events like this one for our seniors in Watts. Residents in this community, especially our seniors, endure unhealthy temperatures several degrees hotter than surrounding areas due to heat retention by pavement and buildings.”
The event aimed to help seniors manage the risk of heat impacts, especially in warmer areas like Watts.
LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones stated that a commitment to serving every Angeleno and making sure customers are equipped with the tools and resources to manage their bills are core to the utility’s mission. “This event is part of our Powered by Equity initiative which ensures that everyone in L.A. can take part in and benefit equitably from the transition to clean energy,” Quiñones said. “It was important to us to give away air conditioners in Watts and provide information about utility bill discounts because customers need to be able to mitigate the impact of extreme heat. We want to make sure that the programs we design are inclusive and don’t leave anyone behind.”
Details: For more information about future Heat Relief for Seniors events like this one, visit www.LADWP.com/HeatRelief2024 for the latest event announcements.