On January 28, 1999, Wisconsin Attorney General James Doyle filed a civil lawsuit against one of the largest sweepstakes promoters in the country, Publishers Clearing House for "allegedly making fraudulent representations" or using deceptive advertising. According to the complaint, "Publishers clearing house is charged with misrepresenting:

? that consumers have won or will win a large cash prize in the company's sweepstakes;

? that consumers will improve their chances of winning by purchasing merchandise from PCH;

? that the PCH sweepstakes is endorsed, ratified or legalized by the state of Wisconsin and the United states government; and

? the terms and conditions of the PCH sweepstakes."

Wisconsin's lawsuit is pursuing "penalties for the alleged violations of Wisconsin's consumer laws, disgorgement of all profits the company has made from the unlawful sale of merchandise, restitution for consumers who have lost money and a court order to force Publishers Clearing house to change its marketing practices." In addition, Doyle believes that federal legislation should do more to protect consumers from "fraudulent sweepstakes offers."

Publishers Clearing House disagrees,

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Approximate Word count = 912
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)