Equinox (MLM)

Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox company Equinox International was a multi-level marketing company founded in 1991 and headed by Bill Gouldd.<ref name=inc1> Template:Cite web</ref> In 1996, Equinox was listed #1 on Inc Magazine's list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

The company and its founder came under scrutiny for its business practices; starting in 1997, investors, the FTC, and several states brought suit<ref>http://www.mlm-beobachter.com/pdf/equinoxorder.pdf Template:Bare URL PDF</ref> charging Equinox was an illegal pyramid scheme rather than a legitimate business.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 25 April 2000, the Federal Trade Commission issued a notice that Equinox International settled a court case with a penalty of $40 million in restitution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gouldd was required to surrender substantial holdings, but retained (among other things) over a million dollars' worth of real estate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Equinox International was ordered dissolved in April 2000.<ref name="hawaii1">https://files.hawaii.gov/dcca/sec/news-releases/breg_pressrelease_equinox.pdf Template:Bare URL PDF</ref> As part of the settlement, Gouldd was also "permanently restrained and enjoined from engaging, participating or assisting in any multi-level marketing program."<ref name="hawaii1"/>

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