Hubbard & Biederman LLP

Class Action Against Startup Essentials and USA Merchant Systems

Hubbard & Biederman and co-counsel filed a Class Action Complaint against USA Merchant Systems, Inc. d/b/a USA Card Services, Inc., Startup Essentials And National Business Advisers; James One GP, LLC; James One Holdings, L.P., d/b/a USA Card Services Inc., Startup Essentials, National Business Advisers, And Startup Essentials, Llc; Startup Essentials, L.L.C.; James One Merchant Solutions, L.P. d/b/a National Business Advisers and James One and Robert Harris ("Harris Defendants") and others in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas challenging these companies' practices offering business opportunities while selling equipment leases. To view a copy of the Third Amended Class Action Complaint, click here.

Plaintiff claims that these companies have failed to register under various Texas laws governing telemarketing sales and business opportunity programs, and have engaged in deceptive sales practices. Plaintiff has filed her Motion for Class Certification against the Harris Defendants which is currently pending before the Court.

Claims were also brought against A-1 Leasing and Bond Corporation, but a proposed settlement has been reached with those defendants and the claims against the Harris Defendants was severed into a separate action. To find out more about the settlement with A-1 and Bond, click here.