$40 Million Settlement Reached With Skechers USA Inc.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Federal Trade Commission and 43 other states reached the settlement with the company

A $40 million settlement has been reached with Skechers USA Inc. after a lawsuit said the company made health-related claims that were not supported, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday.

The lawsuit alleges the company claimed the Shape-ups, Tone-ups and Skechers Resistance Runner shoes would cause consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock and back muscles without adequate support, according to Bondi's office.

“Companies are expected to do their due diligence before making claims about their products,” Bondi said. “This case is an excellent example of state and federal authorities working together to protect consumers.”

Bondi, the Federal Trade Commission and 43 states, who reached the settlement with the company, said Skechers will pay the money to the consumers who purchased the shoes.

Skechers said in a statement Wednesday that it believes its advertising was appropriate. The company said it decided to settle to avoid protracted legal proceedings, and said it expected the one-time settlement would be much much less costly than defending against lawsuits in numerous jurisdictions.

“While we vigorously deny the allegations made in these legal proceedings and looked forward to vindicating these claims in court, Skechers could not ignore the exorbitant cost and endless distraction of several years spent defending multiple lawsuits in multiple courts across the country,” Chief Financial Officer David Weinberg said.

Shoe buyers can click here or call 1-866-325-4186 for information on how to obtain a partial refund.

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