Equinox (MLM)

Equinox

Industry	Multi-level marketing
Founded	1991; 34 years ago (1991)
Founder	Bill Gouldd
Defunct	2001; 24 years ago (2001)
Headquarters	Las Vegas , United States

Equinox International was a multi-level marketing company founded in 1991 and headed by Bill Gouldd.[1] In 1996, Equinox was listed #1 on Inc Magazine's list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

The company and its founder came under scrutiny for its business practices; starting in 1997, investors, the FTC, and several states brought suit[2] charging Equinox was an illegal pyramid scheme rather than a legitimate business.[3]

On 25 April 2000, the Federal Trade Commission issued a notice that Equinox International settled a court case with a penalty of $40 million in restitution.[4] Gouldd was required to surrender substantial holdings, but retained (among other things) over a million dollars worth of real estate.[5]

Equinox International was ordered dissolved in April 2000.[6] As part of the settlement, Gouldd was also "permanently restrained and enjoined from engaging, participating or assisting in any multi-level marketing program."[6]

References

1. Donna Fenn (15 October 2000). "Fast-Sinking Star". Inc. magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
2. http://www.mlm-beobachter.com/pdf/equinoxorder.pdf ^[bare URL PDF]
3. "Equinox fraud trial starts - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". 4 April 2000.
4. "Equinox International Settles Case with FTC, Eight States Nearly $40 Million in Restitution for Alleged Pyramid Victims | Federal Trade Commission". Ftc.gov. 25 April 2000. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
5. "All That Glitters Is Definitely Not Gouldd In Boca". Sun Sentinel. 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
6. https://files.hawaii.gov/dcca/sec/news-releases/breg_pressrelease_equinox.pdf ^[bare URL PDF]