Schneider
Wallace and Sprenger + Lang File Consumer Class
Action Complaint Against DirecTV Alleging Unlawful Early Termination Fees
Los Angeles, September 17, 2008 − Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton and
Konecky LLP Sprenger +
Lang, PLLC filed a class action lawsuit today against
DirecTV Group, Inc. (“DirecTV”) in the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles
challenging DirecTV’s imposition of early termination fees against its
customers. The lawsuit alleges that under DirecTV’s normal procedures,
customers never enter into a valid contract to pay this type of charge. They also claim that, even if customers
signed an agreement, the early termination fees constitute illegal punitive
damages on customers.
The complaint alleges that
DirecTV collected early termination fees directly from the accounts of Plaintiffs Amy Imburgia and
Marlene Mecca without their knowledge and consent, when they cancelled their
service. According to the complaint, neither of the plaintiffs agreed to a term
commitment nor were they told about the potential application of an early
termination fee. Plaintiffs are pursuing a refund of the early
termination fees paid by DirecTV customers in
“Our clients allege DirecTV
deceives and traps its customers by not informing them of contract terms or
even that they are under contract until they want to discontinue service. This type of business practice is a direct
violation of
“All too often, companies
are imposing illegal and unfair penalties on consumers in an effort to lock
consumers into long-term contracts and limit consumer choice. We are proud of Ms. Imburgia
and Ms. Mecca for standing up for their rights and look forward to their day in
court,” said Todd Schneider, who also represents the plaintiffs.
Schneider Wallace Cottrell Brayton Konecky LLP
is a dedicated group of