James McCalla of Florida also is barred from accessing the Internet for three years for sending more than 280 millions of unsolicited emails advertising mortgage and debt consolidation services through CIS Internet Services’ network, which provides connections in Eastern Iowa and parts of Illinois.
“This ruling sets a new standard,” CIS owner Robert Kramer said. “Gross abusers of email risk exposure to public ridicule.”
Kramer’s lawsuit named numerous John Doe defendants, many of whom were dropped from the lawsuit in the last couple of years because of settlements.
In 2004, judgments totaling more than $1 billion were issued against Cash Link Systems and the TEI Marketing Group, both of Florida, and AMP Dollar Savings of Arizona.
The defendants used the CIS.net domain in emails as part of a false return address to disguise their source and deflect complaints to CIS, the suit said.
Kramer, who admitted he didn’t expect to receive any of the judgment money, claimed in the suit that under Iowa law he was entitled to $10 per illegal.
The case is CIS Internet Services vs. James McCalla, No. 3-03-cv-80109.