Firm hocking ‘allegedly deceptive systems for winning at gambling’ agrees to stop marketing to Iowans

DES MOINES - The owner of a New York-based company that sells allegedly deceptive systems for winning at gambling - including the lottery, slot machines, roulette and horse races - will permanently stop targeting Iowans through an agreement with Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.

The agreement, called an assurance of voluntary compliance, requires Stephen L. Young of Brooklyn, N.Y., to stop soliciting Iowans for systems that claim to achieve better-than-chance results in lotteries or other gaming activities. Young denies liability, according to Miller's office.

The agreement requires Young and his operations to make refunds to any Iowan who requests one in the next six months. On Tuesday, Miller urged any Iowan denied a refund to contact his office's Consumer Protection Division.

According to Miller's office, Young sold a $75 system to Iowans called '$5,000/Week ‘Super Power Lotto' ” and other 'big-money” gambling systems. The mail solicitation assured Iowans there was no risk because of an 'ironclad 1-Year unconditional guarantee” promising a full refund, 'no questions asked,” a news release from Miller's office said.

An Iowan who bought the systems complained to the Consumer Protection Division that the company ignored his written request for a refund.

'In this case the company kept its promise to not ask any questions about the refund request, but broke its promise to actually make the refund,” Miller said.

Young owns FPH Communications Publishing and operates through other business names, including National Funds Clearing House, Communications Publishing, American Grant Network, and Hamilton Publishing.