The Utah Division of Consumer Protection, working with the Attorney General’s office, obtained a civil judgment against the operators of a nationwide "Real Estate Workshop" (REW) scheme, securing $42,500,000 in damages and setting aside $2,800,000 for consumer restitution, guests on the "Legally Speaking" program said.

The judgment followed an investigation prompted by dozens of consistent consumer complaints, attorneys said. "They are jointly and severally liable for the $42,500,000 judgment," one of the AG office attorneys said, and the court permanently enjoined the defendants from engaging in wealth-creation or coaching businesses.

The case was civil, not criminal, and the guests clarified there is no jail time attached to the judgment. Instead, the legal penalties are financial and injunctive; the injunction bars the defendants from the industry and threatens contempt sanctions if they violate the order.

The Division and the AG's office reported they are in the process of collecting on the judgment. Officials said $2,800,000 was earmarked for consumer redress and that the Division will establish a claims process so affected consumers can submit documentation supporting the amounts they lost. The Division pledged to allocate available funds "as equitably as possible based on how much people lost."

Officials said the litigation relied on consumer complaints, documentary exhibits and witness testimony gathered during the investigation and trial. Several consumers were willing to come to Salt Lake City to testify, which Division attorneys described as helpful to prevailing at trial.

Victims' reactions to the outcome were mixed: some told the Division they were relieved the defendants can no longer operate, while many remain upset that recovery through the restitution fund will not restore their full losses. Division staff said they continue to receive calls from victims seeking updates about collection and payout steps.

Next steps the Division described include ongoing collection efforts, launching a formal claims process for consumers and distributing recovered funds to eligible claimants once collections permit. The Division encouraged anyone with questions about the case or similar complaints to contact the Division of Consumer Protection.