11,000 plus victims around the country and the total amount of money that they have lost through this scheme is in excess of $300 million and nobody was doing anything about it. Now, they come to Calcasieu Parish and that's where we draw the line. We're not afraid to go after a complicated case. I think that it is a legitimate case of fraud." On December 8, 2004, Pennsylvania Attorney General Gerald J. Pappert filed against Peter J. Salzano, seeking civil penalties in the amount of $1,000 for each and every violation of the consumer protection law, increased to $3,000 for each violation where the victim was age 60 or older. Peter J. Salzano filed bankruptcy on January 1, 2005. On September 11, 2006, the Federal Trade Commission filed charges against the Salzanos and won a stipulation judgment on October 17, 2007. The FTC won a default judgment of $181.7 million from NorVergence and a stipulated judgment keeping the Salzanos out of related businesses and any assets up to $50 million owed to NorVergence's lessees. The judgment also seeks money from Salzano's wife and son for NorVergence money allegedly used to pay personal bills. Thomas Salzano was indicted in January 2008 on multiple charges of money laundering, conspiracy and theft. After a night in jail, he pleaded not guilty, surrendered his passport and posted a $75,000 bond. A hearing was scheduled for October 16, 2008. Qwest and Sprint Nextel say the company owes them over $30 million. Tom Salzano's prior startup, Minimum Rate Pricing, also went bankrupt, owing WorldCom and Access Capital $67 million. References External links Federal Trade Commission, 26 June 2006, "FTC Settles Court Case Against NorVergence Principals - Thomas and Peter Salzano Prohibited from Making Future Misrepresentations". Kibbe, Cindy, 20 August 2004, New Hampshire Business Review, "Bankrupt telco customers left holding 'the box'". United States Bankruptcy Court - District of New Jersey. 14 July 2006 "Complaint to Avoid and Recover Fraudulent Transfers and Setoffs Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 544, 548, 550, 553(b)(1) and N.J.S.A. 25:2 et seq., and for Fraud, Breaches of Fiduciary Duty, Aiding and Abetting a Fraud, Aiding and Abetting Breaches of Fiduciary Duty and Deepening Insolvency". Tom Corbett - Pennsylvania Attorney General "NorVergence, Inc. Complaint". Long, Josh. Phone+, 1 November 2004. "Been There, Done That - NorVergence Predecessor Shares Traits with Bankrupt Firm". Accessed 28 April 2010. Companies established in 2001 Companies based in