Saturday, January 8, 2011

Kardashian Sisters are Sued

The Kardashian sisters are once again facing legal trouble from their pre-paid debit card debacle in 2010. However, this time the sisters are being sued by the company that licensed their likeness and images for the card.

Revenue Resource Group is suing the "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" stars, their mother Kris Jenner, and the sisters' Dash Dolls company for $75 million in a complaint filed Thursday in Fresno, California according to E! News. The company argues the sisters breached their contract when they backed out of their two-year deal to be the faces of the pre-paid debit card.

The Kardashian sisters cut ties with a deal in November after the cards came under attack for high fees hidden in fine print, according to the Associated Press.


"The Kardashians have worked extremely long and hard to create a positive public persona that appeals to everyone, particularly young adults," a letter dated Nov. 29, 2010 from Dennis Roach, a lawyer who represents the sisters said. "Unfortunately, the negative spotlight turned on the Kardashians."

The letter came after Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal warned on Nov. 26, 2010 that he would investigate the program to see if it violated state laws. He also denounced the card's fees, calling them "predatory," according to the wire service.


The Associated Press reported that "just to buy the card and use it costs $59.95 for six months, or $99.95 for 12 months. That does not include any money on the card. The person buying the card must add money onto it."

In addition, it cost cardholders $7.95 a month to keep using the card after the initial 6 or 12 month trial period. Users have to pay $1.50 to withdraw cash from an ATM, and $1 to check their balance.

"All we wanted to do was put out a card with the girls' picture on it and have their celebrity status sell it," Claude Butler, Revenue Resource Group's president and chief executive officer told the Fresno Bee. "But it turned around on us."

"It's our only choice," Nancy Torosian, chief operating officer for the card company, told the newspaper. "The fees are not egregious, they were average to low."

The Kardashian sisters have not commented on the lawsuit.

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