Federal Trade Commission Thanks Postal Inspector Cesar Cerecedo

L to R: Del Alvarez, Mail Fraud Team Leader, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Richard Goldberg, Deputy Director, Consumer Protection Bureau, Department of Justice; Cesar Cerecedo, Postal Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Ronald Verrochio, Inspector In Charge, Miami Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Valerie M. Verduce, Chief, Criminal Liaison Unit, Federal Trade Commission.

Dear Inspector Cerecedo:

Once each year, the Criminal Liaison Unit presents an award to a law enforcement investigator who has shown an exceptional commitment to consumer protection in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This award, the “Consumer Shield Award,” is our formal recognition of that investigator’s hard work and dedication in helping to prosecute fraudsters who prey on American consumers. It is our honor to present the FTC’s “Consumer Shield Award” to you.

For the last eight years, your work has supported the consumer protection mission of the FTC in exemplary fashion. Your investigations have led to the successful prosecution of dozens of fraudsters behind more than six FTC civil cases, including principals behind “FTC v. Telecard Dispensing Corp”; “FTC v. Nationwide Communications”; “FTC v. Trans Net Wireless”; “FTC v. Univend”; and “FTC vs. Jumping Java Coffee.”  In addition, your work has supported at least four separate FTC sweeps, from “Operation Short Change” in 2009 to “Operation Lost Opportunity” in 2012. Your investigation of these fraudulent business opportunity and unauthorized billing scams have resulted in many notable convictions, including the convictions and sentencing of FTC defendants Paul Pemberton to 136 months and Willoughby Farr to 21 years.

On behalf of the FTC, the Criminal Liaison Unit is thrilled to recognize formally your extraordinary work in fighting consumer fraud. We ask you to join us at your office on Thursday, January 29, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., to receive this well-deserved award.

Sincerely,

Valerie M. Verduce

Chief, Criminal Liaison Unit

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Federal Trade Commission