Verizon Settles Spam Suit

Internet Entrepreneur Agrees To Change Some E-Mail Procedures

(AP)  A commercial bulk e-mailer who critics consider one of the most prolific producers of "spam" agreed to change some procedures to settle a lawsuit filed by Verizon Internet Services.

The settlement announced Monday allows Alan M. Ralsky of West Bloomfield Township to stay in business, but restricts his distribution of unsolicited bulk e-mail advertising, The Detroit News reported.

Neither Ralsky nor Verizon would comment extensively on the settlement, citing confidentiality agreements. But Bobbi Henson, a spokeswoman for the Reston, Va.-based Verizon Internet, called it a significant case.

"People should see this and think twice about sending spam on our lines," Henson said.

The settlement permanently bars Ralsky and his company, Additional Benefits LLC, from sending bulk e-mail, derided as spam by critics, on any of Verizon's networks, which reach 1.64 million customers in 40 states. Ralsky also must pay the corporation an undisclosed fine.

"Ralsky is one of the better-known spammers out there," said John Mozena of Grosse Pointe Woods, vice president of the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail. "The bigger the spammer that falls, the happier we are."

But Ralsky said he will continue sending bulk e-mail. Verizon's suit, brought in U.S. District Court in Virginia, had sought to shut him down, seeking as much as $37 million.

The lawsuit alleged Ralsky twice paralyzed its network in 2000 by sending millions of e-mails.

"It didn't happen," said Ralsky, 57. "I admit no liability ... and I don't know if any message has been sent at all" with the settlement.

Ralsky said he doesn't send offers for pornography or any messages to people who indicate they don't want them.