Michigan's legal gears are grinding against an alleged clone corporation scheme, with Attorney General Dana Nessel taking decisive action. In a suit filed in Wayne County's 3rd Circuit Court, Nessel is aiming to shut down what she claims is a ruse orchestrated by Eric Vander Ley and his brother Daniel, targeting small businesses in Ferndale. As reported by Michigan's official government website, the AG’s office is accusing the Vander Leys of using clone corporations to mimic established business entities, consequently harassing and attempting to pressure the legitimate owners for money.
The lawsuit details how Eric Vander Ley allegedly created these fraudulent LLCs by exploiting gaps in the state's business registration system, and then, not satisfied with this deception, he coldly pursued business owners for money. For example, as the Attorney General's office lay it out, Eric Vander Ley charged the Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop's proprietor with copyright infringement and business interference and demanded $500 per hour for so-called settlement negotiations; when the owner pushed back, the harassment allegedly escalated.
Urbanrest Brewing Company echoes a similar tale of woe, facing harassment from Eric Vander Ley and his monetary demands, which also extended to its employees and customers. Attorney General Nessel condemned the scheme, saying, "These fraudulent LLCs were created to sow confusion, harass, and extract money from hardworking small business owners in Ferndale," and she vowed to dissolve the 17 LLCs tied to this alleged exploitation, as per a report by Michigan's official website. The plight of these businesses, cornerstones of their community, reflects a grim narrative that Nessel is determined to end.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify language relating to the charges brought in the original version.
.jpg){kind=link}