As
part of a coordinated, nationwide action,
New Jersey, 43 other states, the District
of Columbia and the Federal Trade Commission
filed individual settlements with Skechers,
which manufactures Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups and
Skechers Resistance Runner athletic shoes.
Under the settlements, a total of up to
$40 million is being allocated for consumer
refund money to be paid back to consumers
in the participating states who purchased
the shoes. As part of the coordinated agreement,
Skechers will pay the states an additional
$5 million.
A
lawsuit by the State, also filed today as
part of the coordinated, multi-state action,
alleges that Skechers made health-related
claims in the marketing, packaging, advertising,
offering and selling of its line of rocker-bottom
shoe that were not adequately substantiated
at the time the claims were made.
The
lawsuit alleges that, without having competent
and reliable scientific evidence for its
claims, Skechers claimed that Shape-Ups
and its other rocker-bottom shoe products
caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories,
improve circulation, fight cellulite and
firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock
and back muscles.
Under
the settlement, the Delaware-based Skechers
is prohibited from making these claims unless
it has adequate substantiation to do so.
Skechers does not admit any wrong-doing
and denies the factual allegations asserted
in lawsuits filed by New Jersey and the
other states. Consumers who bought Shape-Ups,
Tone-Ups or the Skechers Resistance Runner
shoes should visit www.ftc.gov/skechers
for information about how to obtain a partial
refund.