Whitaker's link with a "fraudulent" business that was shut down by the government

MIAMI – The Acting Attorney General of the United States, Matthew Whitaker, has served on the advisory board of a Florida corporation closed by the Federal Trade Commission and delivered a $ 26 million judgment earlier this year for this that judicial documents have qualified as "fraudulent fraud". thousands of consumers on millions of dollars. "

The company World Patent Marketing has promised to help inventors to obtain patents.

Whitaker was appointed a member of the advisory council in October 2014 and Federal Election Commission records showed that the business owner had donated $ 2,600 to Whitaker's campaign while he was appearing before the board. US Senate. A payment record also states that Whitaker had paid at least $ 9,375 by the company from October 2014 to February 2016 and was to receive an additional $ 7,500 in 2016 and 2017, but it is unclear if he actually received This money.

According to a press release from World Patent Marketing announcing Whitaker's position on the board of directors, he said: "World Patent Marketing has become a trusted partner for many inventors who believe in the American dream", and "I've always admired World Patent Marketing, and its innovative products and dynamic management team."

In May, the company agreed to a settlement with the FTC, alleging that World Patent Marketing had used unfair tactics, including threats of lawsuits, when customers complained about the company or its services. The court banned the company from promoting the invention. In addition, the judge ordered that the $ 26 million judgment be partially suspended until the company's owner, Scott Cooper, paid approximately $ 975,000. Whitaker's participation was first reported by the Miami New Times.

Whitaker was so involved with the company that he sent a threatening email to a dissatisfied customer, which was filed in the case by the FTC. Whitaker accuses a client of "blackmail or extortion" because he had threatened to complain to the Bureau of Business Ethics.

"I am a former US Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa," says the email. "I suppose you understand that there could be serious civil and criminal consequences for you" if the client filed a complaint, writes Whitaker, adding, "Understand that we take these threats very seriously."

The client responded that Whitaker was "a party to a scam".

Kerri Kupec, spokesperson for the Justice Department, said in a statement that Mr. Whitaker "said he was unaware of any fraudulent activity." All stories suggesting the opposite are wrong. "

The FTC said customers who had paid thousands of dollars to World Patent Marketing for the commercialization of their inventions received nothing in return after months or even years of paying the company. A press release from the FTC stated that after working with World Patent Marketing, "many customers ended up in debt or lost their savings, without saying anything about it."