A coupon clearinghouse was named in a civil suit in Milwaukee for the alleged disappearance of hundreds of millions of dollars during the last decade.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Saturday that International Outsourcing Services was accused by 23 consumer-product companies of losing $150 million through an elaborate fraud.

Attorney Thomas Queen, representing the plaintiffs, said his clients were attempting to get compensation for a series of fraudulent coupons the company allegedly submitted for reimbursement.

"As indicated in the complaint, these companies are the victims here, and we are trying to recover the money that was stolen," Queen said in federal court this week.

While the lawsuit was filed under the civil provisions of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the company initially was facing criminal charges in federal court as well.

The newspaper said that while the company was removed from the criminal case, several of the clearinghouse's former executives are among 11 people still facing charges.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 07 October 2007   

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