| For Immediate Release October 5, 2006 |
Contact: | Farrah Emami Spokesperson (714) 347-8405 Office (714) 323-4486 Cell |
OCDA SETTLES CIVIL CASE AGAINST HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM INVOLVED IN ADOPTION FACILITATOR OPERATION
SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s office settled a civil case today against a husband and wife team who were engaging in illegal and misleading business tactics in an adoption facilitators operation located in Lake Forest. Allan Gindi, 47, and Carol Gindi, 54, both of Laguna Niguel, were ordered to pay $100,000 to the County of Orange for violating business and professions code sections related to their company, Promedia, Inc., formerly known as Adoption Network, Inc. They are also required to follow injunctive provisions issued by the court that prohibit the following acts or practices:
A. Misrepresenting, directly or indirectly, that Carol Gindi attended or graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles.
B. Misrepresenting, directly or indirectly, that Carol Gindi holds an undergraduate or graduate degree in nursing.
C. Misrepresenting, directly or indirectly, that Carol Gindi is a registered nurse.
D. Using the terms “RN” and/or “MSN” is connection with Carol Gindi’s name and/or title.
E. Representing that Adoption Network, Inc., currently known as Promedia, Inc., will not take a couple to whom it cannot guarantee success.
F. Utilizing a “retainer Agreement” for Adoption Network, Inc., currently known as Promedia, Inc., which indicates that Adoption Network, Inc., is a law firm.
G. Representing that Adoption Network, Inc., currently known as Promedia, Inc., is a law corporation.
H. Representing that adoptions can be facilitated in states where adoption facilitation is illegal.
I. Unilaterally rescinding contracts made with consumers that were made by Adoption Network, Inc., currently known as Promedia, Inc.
J. Operating as a law firm without having an attorney on staff.
K. Violating Business and Professions Code Section 6126(a.)
Adoption agencies are licensed by the California Department of Social Services and can become legally responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child. Adoption facilitation, which is legal in California, is not the equivalent to an adoption agency because facilitators are not licensed and are limited in the services they can perform. Adoption facilitators are limited to acting as an intermediary between parties wishing to adopt a child and those looking to place a child up for adoption.
“When dealing with babies and children, it’s important for people to have accurate information,” said Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Cloud of the Consumer and Environmental Fraud Unit who handled this case. “Adoption puts people in a very sensitive and vulnerable situation, and it’s important that they are not misled.”
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