Judge approves a $4.9 million settlement to businesses who were charged payment incre

A judge ruled in favor of a class action lawsuit involving businesses nationwide, including ones from South Florida.
South Florida businesses that are part of a larger class action lawsuit against two companies were awarded a portion of a final settlement of $4.9 million after the judge ruled in the class’s favor, a press release said.

“Approximately nine thousand class members nationwide were included in the settlement,” said Lance Harke, lead attorney for the case from law firm Harke Clasby & Bushman LLP. “Many of these being businesses here in South Florida.”

Class members alleged that defendants GE Capital lT Solutions and IKON Financial Services & Office Solutions raised lease agreements for copiers by 5 percent, in violation of written terms, according to the news release.

“These contracts were multi-year contracts at a fixed rate,” Harke continued. “The companies thought they had a right to raise cost per copier.”

On the contrary, Harke contended, the increase was illegitimate under the stipulations written within the contract.

Hon. Cecilia Altonaga approved the final settlement, which created a communical monetary fund from which class members can draw compensation, the release said.

Additionally, class members can voluntarily object to any raises in their payments. GE and IKON must then revert the contract to the original rate.