Mississippi Supreme Court upholds $100,000 judgment against drop-shipping firm

The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that Michigan can enforce a judgment of more than $100,000 against Columbus, Mississippi, businessman Benjamin Moody and his company, AF LLC, which operated as ACF Wholesale. The decision upholds an April 2025 ruling by Michigan’s 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County, which found the company liable for violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act.

The dispute originated from a class-action lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in January 2024. State officials alleged that ACF Wholesale took payments for furniture orders but failed to ship the items, provided fabricated explanations for delays, and refused to issue refunds. The Mississippi Supreme Court rejected Moody’s attempt to block the out-of-state enforcement, stating that a seller who continuously serves a state’s consumers is answerable to that state for fraud.

With the ruling in place, Michigan authorities can ask a local Mississippi trial court to execute the judgment by garnishing wages or placing liens on property if Moody and the firm refuse to pay. Attorney General Nessel noted that her office is currently pursuing similar enforcement efforts in Ohio and New York, emphasizing that online retailers cannot use state lines as a shield against deceptive business practices.

Read the full story at tampafp.com.