Equinox strikes deal, is back in business

Equinox International Corp. of Las Vegas resumed limited operations Wednesday after striking a deal with the Federal Trade Commission.

The agreement limits new Equinox representatives to $1,000 initial orders of its products. Existing representatives are not limited. The company said it is accepting and shipping orders, as well as paying rebates to former participants.

FTC spokeswoman Claudia Bourne Farrell said Equinox's assets remain frozen, a receiver remains in control of the company and a restraining order issued last week remains in effect.

As a result of the agreement, Equinox has dismissed its emergency appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Farrell said.

Last week, the FTC and six states, including Nevada, filed a federal lawsuit against Equinox, asking that it be shut down and accusing the multilevel marketing company of operating an illegal pyramid scheme.

A judge is to hear Equinox's motion to dissolve the temporary restraining order and the government's motion for a permanent injunction on Aug. 16. Farrell said the FTC-Equinox agreement is effective only until that date.

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