A jury in Missouri recently hammered notorious debt collector, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC with a huge $83 million penalty for its violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
The jury found that Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) violated the rights of Maria Mejia when they sued her for a debt that was not hers. The jury found that PRA guilty of malicious prosecution and awarded $250,000 in damages plus $82,990,000 in punitive damages.
PRA – predictably – was not happy with the verdict. “This outlandish verdict defies all common sense,” said PRA spokesman Michael McKeon. “We hope and expect the judge will set aside this inappropriate award…”
Whether or not the judge sets aside this award for damages, this case and others like it are a signal that jurors will not accept the abusive tactics many of these debt collection firms employ. PRA is one of the nation’s largest debt collectors and sues thousands of consumers each year. If you are facing a lawsuit from PRA or another debt collector, contact our Colorado consumer law attorneys for more information on how to defend yourself.