Florida Judge Lifts Asset Freeze in Federal Trade Commission E-Commerce Fraud Case

March 28, 2025: In a big win for Dynamis, a Florida federal judge in Fort Lauderdale has allowed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to unfreeze certain bank accounts tied to William Holton, an Ohio man accused of helping run a $14 million e-commerce scam. The judge, however, maintained the broader restraining order that blocks business operations of the company in question—Click Profit—pending a preliminary injunction hearing.

Holton, one of several defendants in the FTC’s March 3 lawsuit, allegedly helped deceive consumers through Click Profit, a platform claiming to offer AI-powered passive income opportunities via major online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok. The FTC says the company lied about affiliations with brands like Nike and Disney to lure users.

Holton's defense is led by Eric S. Rosen and Constantine P. Economides of Dynamis LLP, and assisted by Lynn Fouad. Rosen, who played a pivotal role in the hearing, argued that Holton sold his stake in Click Profit in late 2023 and had no direct role in the fraud alleged by the FTC. He emphasized that simply holding a corporate title isn't enough to prove liability without evidence of active participation or knowledge of wrongdoing. “Simply owning a company isn't sufficient,” Rosen told the court. “You have to have knowledge [of the fraud].”

Judge David S. Leibowitz agreed to a conditional modification of the restraining order. If Holton provides sworn financial disclosures, four bank accounts—containing at least $140,000—will be unfrozen, allowing him to cover living expenses and legal fees. Judge Leibowitz cited Rosen’s representations and the need for a fair defense ahead of the upcoming hearing.

The FTC maintains that Holton may still control Click Profit and was involved in concealing the alleged scheme. The legal fight is heating up, with Rosen’s defense strategy in sharp focus as the case heads toward a key decision.