Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SEATTLE -- The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has received complaints against a firm selling magnetic mattress pads in Washington, Greentree Health Systems, of Lebanon, Ohio. The complaints appear to be very similar to those that led to the filing of a lawsuit in February of 2003, against N.W. Global Network, Inc., and its president, Eric Glenn.

Greentree marketed the magnetic mattress pads in Washington late last year using direct mail postcards inviting consumers to free dinner presentations. Consumers are now complaining that Greentree has not delivered its products as promised.

Also, consumers complained that Greentree misrepresented that it was in good standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at the presentations held in November 2004. The Cincinnati BBB indicates on its website that it began to receive complaints against Greentree in May 2004, and terminated the firm’s membership in September 2004, due to continued complaints.

The magnetic products Greentree sold were expensive. They charged Washington consumers nearly $800 for a twin size mattress pad.

In addition, consumers should be aware that magnetic mattress pads are not “approved” medical devices. To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not cleared for marketing any magnetic device promoted for treating medical conditions.

Washington consumers who have a complaint against Greentree may file with the Attorney General’s Office on-line at http://www.wa.gov or by calling 1-800-551-4636. They are asked to provide details of their purchases from Greentree and if available copies of all paperwork such as postcards, business cards, brochures, invoices, receipts and cancelled checks.

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For more information contact:

Kristin Alexander, (206) 464-6432, KristinA1@atg.wa.gov

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