Illinois AG Brings Charges Against Debt Collector for Illegal Practices

On March 10, 2017, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (“Illinois AG”) announced that it had brought criminal contempt charges against the former proprietor of a debt collection business (the “defendant”).  The defendant is accused of operating a new debt collection business, which is an alleged violation of a consent decree concerning his former company that permanently barred him from operating a debt collection business in Illinois.  The Illinois AG claims that there have been over 100 consumer complaints involving the defendant’s new debt collection business.  The defendant faces the possibility of more than 6 months in jail and a more than $500 fine for these charges.