GCM Staff Report
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Tuesday a temporary restraining order against AKME Gardens, a Baldwin County company accused of deceiving consumers with false claims about its certifications to sell plant products and seeds.
The action follows supposed violations of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the state is now seeking restitution for affected consumers and legal penalties against the company.
The state's complaint names AKME Group LLC and AKME LLC (collectively known as AKME Gardens), as well as individuals Adam Karsten Morck and Kristina Nis Dias. According to the Attorney General's Office, the company is accuse of falsely advertising itself as a certified nursery, accepting payments from consumers across the U.S. for orders it never fulfilled.
"Making false claims to trick buyers into spending large sums of money without delivering a product is not only unfair but illegal under Alabama's consumer protection laws. In this case, by falsely claiming to be an Alabama-certified nursery, this business also puts our entire agriculture industry at risk by opening the door to harmful plant pests that could cost farmers and consumers. These actions are a serious threat to our community," Marshall said in a statement. "We urge any consumers who have been affected by this company to immediately contact the office."
AKME Gardens has not been certified by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to sell nursery stock...
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