Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Gordon
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
819 F.3d 1179 (2016)
Chance Gordon (defendant), a lawyer, sent official-looking mailings falsely implying government affiliation, guaranteed foreclosure protection, and promised pro bono representation to solicit mortgage-relief clients who ultimately had to pay for his services; the CFPB (plaintiff) sued under the CFPA and Regulation O, and although Gordon argued his accurate later representation agreements cured any deception, the district court granted the CFPB summary judgment, ordered restitution from all clients (even satisfied ones), and enjoined Gordon from practicing law for three years, rejecting some of the CFPB's proposed remedies as too harsh.
Whether the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act prohibits and provides remedies for unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices in the consumer financial-services industry.