Jessie Verdun has taken legal action against a Louisiana-based corporation, accusing it of egregious violations of debt collection laws. The complaint was filed by Jessie Verdun in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on May 2, 2025, against Rauch-Milliken International, Inc. (RMI). The case sheds light on the often-unseen world of debt collection practices and the protections that exist for consumers under both federal and state law.
The lawsuit centers around allegations that RMI engaged in abusive and unlawful debt collection tactics. According to the complaint, Jessie Verdun had previously settled a debt with City Electric Supply Company (CES), only to have RMI pursue collection efforts for this already extinguished obligation. Verdun claims that RMI's actions included unauthorized third-party disclosures, direct contact despite knowing he was represented by counsel, and threats to his business relationships. These actions are said to violate both the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and its California counterpart, the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA). "Such conduct represents precisely the type of abusive collection tactics that these consumer protection statutes were designed to prevent," states the complaint.
The complaint further alleges that RMI's misconduct is not isolated but part of a systematic pattern evidenced by numerous complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Examples cited include unauthorized third-party disclosures and refusal to validate debts properly. One consumer reported that RMI threatened to seize assets such as bank accounts and inventory. These experiences mirror those alleged by Verdun, who asserts significant emotional distress and damage to his business relationships due to RMI's aggressive tactics.
In seeking relief from the court, Jessie Verdun requests actual damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, statutory damages under both federal and state statutes, punitive damages for intrusion upon seclusion and negligence claims, as well as public injunctive relief prohibiting such practices in the future. The lawsuit also seeks attorney fees and costs associated with bringing this action forward.
Representing Jessie Verdun is attorney Andre Verdun from The Law Offices of Andre L. Verdun based in Ventura, California. The case has been assigned Case #: 2025CUBTO4353F in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura.