This report originally appeared in the May 2010 issue of DOTmed Business News

The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Florida are suing the Alcohol Cure Corporation (doing business as Alcoholism Cure Foundation [ACF]) of Jacksonville, Fla., and Robert Krotzer, president and sole owner. According to the federal complaint filed in the Middle District of Florida, the defendants are accused of marketing a "permanent cure" program to the public. The program allegedly involves various individual dietary supplement regimens with "purported doctor support." However, the complaint says, neither Krotzer nor any other ACF employee holds a doctorate or license regarding the treatment of alcoholism.

The cost of the programs ranged from around $60 the first month and up to $260 for the fourth month and each month thereafter, not including the price of the supplements. The complaint claims the terms and conditions for the program are indecipherable, inconsistent, difficult to find and hard to identify for the consumer. The complaint points out in one paragraph of a lengthy statement on the Web, quitting the program prematurely allows the company to charge for remaining fees totaling 76 months.

The complaint also alleges how the ACF web site was deceptive and confusing in its policy for those who wish to quit the program; if one attempted to quit, the company refused to cancel their memberships unless the consumer submitted "Proofs of Continued Drinking," such as notarized statements from friends and doctors, liquor receipts and laboratory test results. The complaint also alleges the defendants told consumers that if they did not pay, they might be subject to litigation with "unwanted publicity." The complaint says the defendants have filed 11 small claims lawsuits, each revealing personal and health information. The defendants are accused of among other charges, unfair and deceptive trade practices.

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