News PRESS RELEASE July 13, 2007, Tucson AZ.  Jesse A. Stoff MD, a recognized authority and extensively published writer on immunology today decried the dissemination of misleading statements being made by distributors of “multi-level marketing (MLM) organizations” trying to gain a marketing advantage for their products over the products of Body Wise International, Inc. by using his dispute with the United States Federal Trade Commission that was settled in 2005, as leverage. The proliferation of these inaccurate statements and distortions on the Internet constitute defamation. These MLM distributors are attempting to undermine the efficacy of the Body Wise line of products to promote their particular products and refer to the FTC proceeding against Dr. Stoff to suggest that the Body Wise products are inferior to theirs.  These efforts represent selling dishonesty at its worst. Dr. Stoff related that he had been a victim of circumstances with regard to the FTC’s pursuit of Body Wise International, Inc.  He had been a paid speaker for Body Wise at several of its conferences and was  not aware that Body Wise had been the subject of a prior FTC proceeding and was subject to the terms of a prior order which precluded persons like him from speaking at such conferences.  Body Wise’s engagement of Dr. Stoff was a clear violation of the prior order and precipitated the subsequent proceeding against Body Wise and Dr. Stoff.  Dr. Stoff had contracted with Body Wise to educate Body Wise distributors regarding the nature and function of the human immune system. The FTC claimed that Dr. Stoff used his position as a physician to mislead distributors and customers of Body Wise relative to the properties of Body Wise products. Further, the FTC implied that it acted against Dr. Stoff because his reputation was so strong that simply having a relationship with a company constituted an “implied” endorsement of products and the suggestion that they could be used to treat or mitigate disease.  No evidence of the FTC’s claims and assertions was ever presented and the Consent Decree supports Dr. Stoff’s contention that he simply described those products within his knowledge and experience and never made any claims relative to their usefulness other than as a dietary supplements. His agreement with the FTC states that Dr. Stoff………… “does not admit any allegations set forth in the Complaint, other than jurisdictional facts.” The Consent Decree goes on to state that it……….. “does not constitute, nor shall it be interpreted to constitute, either an admission by (Dr. Stoff) of any wrongdoing or a finding by the Court that (Dr. Stoff) has engaged in any violation of law.” Dr. Stoff chose to execute a Consent Decree with the FTC to resolve the matter as opposed to litigation in an “Administrative Court” used by the FTC for such cases.  The financial consideration for defense in such cases commences at $500,000 which was not feasible for him.  His belief is that the Consent Decree exonerates him of any wrong-doing and brought the matter to a complete resolution.  Dr. Stoff further elaborated that he is no longer associated in any way with dietary supplements in the United States and that the FTC order has in no way affected his ability to practice medicine or pursue other commercial interests. Contact Dr. Jesse A. Stoff at info@drstoff.com