Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the married couple were targeting the black community and lured the victims with pledges of $ 11,200 over the $ 1,400 dues.

(CN) – Texas sued a husband and wife on Tuesday and asked a state judge to freeze their company’s assets based on claims they run a pyramid scheme that defrauded black people in across the United States of tens of millions of dollars.

LaShonda and Marlon Moore, from the Dallas suburb of Prosper, Texas, launched Blessings in No Time last August, touting it as a “Link funding” business where people can overcome financial barriers, from medical bills to their children’s school fees, or raise money for worthy causes, through fundraisers involving family, friends and nice strangers.

In truth, says Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Moores run a pyramid scheme in which they lure people in with pledges of $ 11,200 back on their $ 1,400 to $ 1,425 dues if they recruit d other people to register.

It’s curious, Paxton says, that membership dues are the same amount as the coronavirus stimulus checks the federal government issued to most Americans earlier this year.

He sued the couple and their business on Tuesday in Collin County District Court, seeking an injunction ordering them to return their ill-gotten gains as well as civil penalties of $ 10,000 for each alleged violation of the Business Practices Act. misleading Texas and $ 250,000 if the violation involved a person. 65 years or older.

The Moors present their business with an air of religiosity. They call a document comprising the articles of association and the code of conduct of the company the BINT Bible.

Since January, the state has received nearly 200 complaints against the company from Texans, alleging more than $ 700,000 in losses, according to the lawsuit.

It includes a complaint from an alleged victim whose name has been redacted. They wrote: “Blessings in No Time (BINT LLC) was billed as a godly, all-black, socially aware community of giving that emerged at the end of much of the protest last summer. [sic]. “

The BINT member said the Moores had ensured it was not a pyramid scam and instilled confidence in their company’s “heavily documented money back guarantees”.

The member says he has involved six members of his family in the BINT program. All seven requested refunds in October and November. “They promised 7-10 business days for refunds, as of 3/4/21 still no refunds,” the complainant wrote.

The Moores reportedly covered up their scam with rules that called for the termination of the membership of anyone who posted negative comments on BINT in any forum.

“Many victims have been dissuaded from exercising their right to speak out and warn others of the accused’s illegal scheme lest they lose their rights to reimbursement and other compensation owed by the accused.” , indicates the trial.

But the Moores admitted at a Zoom meeting in January that their bank account for repayments had been depleted.

Paxton claims the couple tricked the victims into showcasing their celebrity relationships.

Marlon Moore, a Dallas native named Marlon Maiden, quit his day job as an insurance salesman to turn his DJ hobby into a career, and eventually landed a spot as a resident DJ on the show. Black Entertainment Television’s “106 and Park” music video, which was canceled. in 2014, according to a report from May 2017 item in D Magazine.

The Moores showed a propensity for extravagance during their wedding in August 2019.

They hired an outfielder for the entertainment, included “24k gold cutlery” in the cutlery, had LaShonda’s dress and her bridesmaids’ dresses custom made in Australia, and Marlon surprised LaShonda by garnishing his jacket with their engagement photos, according to a functionality by CultureMap Dallas.

While undoubtedly costly, the costs of their marriage pale in comparison to the damages Texas is claiming from the couple.

“The state is seeking monetary relief in excess of $ 1,000,000, including civil penalties, consumer remedies, attorney fees and costs,” the lawsuit said.

Texas, through Paxton, is also seeking a restraining order freezing the assets of the Moores and preventing them from promoting their so-called pyramid scheme and destroying records.

A phone number listed for Blessing in No Time broadcasts a message that the person trying to be reached is not accepting calls.

Paxton did not respond to an email Tuesday asking if a criminal complaint had been filed against the Moores.

“BINT scammed Texans with money by exploiting their deeply held religious faith during a national crisis. This is despicable behavior, and BINT will be prosecuted with all the rigor of the law, ”he said in a statement.