Farrow Law Firm Announces Update of Lawsuit with Claim for Civil Racketeering (“Civil RICO”) After Removal from State Court to Federal Court by Defendants Heath Ritenour, John Ritenour and Insurance Office of America: Information Sought

AUGUST 1, 2023, ORLANDO, FLORIDA. On April 24, 2023, after the filing of a Second Amended Complaint (“Complaint”) in Seminole County Circuit Court, Defendants Heath Ritenour (“Heath”), Valli Ritenour (“Valli”), John Ritenour (“John”), George Anthony Tatum (“Tatum”), and 1188 Partners, LLC filed a Notice of Removal of the Complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Case Number: 6:23-cv-00746- RBD-RMN.

Defendants’ Removal was based upon Federal Question Jurisdiction related to Plaintiff’s Claims in Count I – Civil RICO and Count II – Civil Conspiracy to Violate the Federal RICO Act. On May 1, 2023, Defendants have filed a Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint. On June 1, 2023, Plaintiff filed an opposition to that motion and the same remains pending. On June 13, 2023, the Federal Court entered its Case Management and Scheduling Order providing that pleading Amendments are due by August 4, 2023. A copy of the docket may be found on the Federal PACER system or unofficially at https://dockets.justia.com/docket/florida/flmdce/6:2023cv00746/413406

The Complaint alleges: While [Plaintiff] was being recruited to become an IOA Insurance Agent, he was promised [IOA’s] Signature Universal Offer” which is alleged in the filed pleading to be “offering the highest commissions to its insurance agents in the industry for new and residual business [60%]…allowing IOA Insurance Agents to keep their own book of business and allowing all IOA Insurance Agents to freely leave IOA at any time and retain ownership of all their insurance accounts.”

The Operative Complaint now pending in Federal Court alleges, in part, that Plaintiff agreed to become an IOA agent under the terms of IOA’s Signature Offer, however, through various schemes, Plaintiff alleges “[he] was renumerated far less than promised and was defrauded over interstate wires and U.S. Mail by John, Valli and 1188 Partners over the course of five years.”

If you have any information relative to the allegations referenced above, or as to, the character and reputations of John Ritenour, Heath Ritenour or Insurance Office of America, please contact us at info@farrowlawfirm.com. All communications will remain confidential unless otherwise permitted by federal or state law, rules of procedure, evidence or Court order.

***THIS IS NOT A LAWYER ADVERTISEMENT OR SOLICITATION***

This Announcement is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for any individual having any alleged claims against any of the Defendants named above and, should we receive a request for representation to prosecute or defend claims as to these Defendants, Farrow Law will decline the same and the same applies to anyone seeking representation by the firm based upon this release. This case has not gone to trial, nor have any of the allegations herein above been established as evidence in a court of law or otherwise.

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