Attorney General Gansler Orders Four Businesses to Cease and Desist Selling of Health Club Services
Companies Also Ordered to Pay $12,000 in Penalties

BALTIMORE, MD (May 30, 2008) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today announced that his Consumer Protection Division has issued Final Orders requiring four health club owners to cease and desist from the sale of health club services until they are registered with the Division’s Health Club Registration Unit. Final Orders were issued to: Montgomery Fitness for Life t/a Curves, located at 12158 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg; Sharria Abdul-Hakeem t/a Curves, located at 4009 Buckingham Road, Baltimore; Tammie Hancock t/a Git Fit, located at 4514 Preston Road, Preston; and, Tina Lynn Edwards t/a Curves, located at 12842 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring.

All four businesses were found to have sold health club services without being registered with the unit. It is unlawful in Maryland for health clubs, weight loss centers, and self defense schools to operate without registering with the Attorney General’s Office. The businesses were provided 30 days to submit documentation for registration and pay the appropriate registration fee. In addition, each business was ordered to pay a $3,000 penalty for violations of health club law and the Consumer Protection Act. The businesses were also ordered to reimburse the Division for the costs of the investigation and hearing.

“Consumers who want to get in shape by joining a health club should also make sure their finances are in good shape by checking out the club first,” said Attorney General Gansler. Consumers may check whether the health club, weight loss center or self defense school they are considering joining is registered with the Division by visiting the Attorney General’s website, www.oag.state.md.us/healthclub, or by calling the Health Club Registration Unit
at (410) 576-6350.