Florida abortion ad fraud scheme leads to $118K settlement

The Florida attorney general’s office announced Wednesday it has reached a $118,000 settlement with two companies accused of deceiving patients about their ability to perform abortions. The state filed a lawsuit in 2018 alleging that Crisis Pregnancy Center of Greater Orlando and Birth Control Care Center of Winter Park ran internet ads that falsely implied they provided abortion services. Crisis Pregnancy Center owner Sam Monaco and Birth Control Care Center owner Anthony Quinn agreed to the settlement without admitting any wrongdoing.

The attorney general’s office said the companies’ ads violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The law prohibits businesses from making false claims about the services they offer. The state accused the companies of using online ads to lure women seeking abortions to their clinics. Once there, the women were allegedly subjected to anti-abortion propaganda.

Under the terms of the settlement, the companies agreed to pay $118,000 to the state. They are also prohibited from making false statements in their advertising in the future. Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement that the companies “preyed on women who were trying to make important medical decisions.” She added that the settlement sends a message that such deceptive practices will not be tolerated in Florida.

Monaco and Quinn have not responded to requests for comment on the settlement. Crisis Pregnancy Center of Greater Orlando has since closed, but Birth Control Care Center of Winter Park remains open.