The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has undertaken a series of significant enforcement actions, effectively targeting fraudulent activities and potential antitrust violations across various sectors, including trucking, healthcare, and legal services. These moves, which took place over the past week, demonstrate the agency’s commitment to consumer protection and fair competition.
In a major crackdown, a federal district court in Florida issued a permanent injunction against RivX, an alleged trucking investment scam. The court’s decision halts all operations of the company, which had promised investors lucrative returns through trucking industry investments. The ruling also imposes a judgment of $8,390,025.99 against the defendants, which include RivX entities and executives, as well as other related companies. According to the FTC, consumers were misled into thinking they would receive semi-trucks in their names while the company managed logistics. However, regulators found that very few consumers actually received trucks, and none were able to recover their investments.
“The FTC is committed to protecting America’s workers from business opportunity scams,” stated Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. This case was part of the initiatives launched by the Chairman’s Joint Labor Task Force, which started in February 2025. The court’s default judgments were finalized on January 15, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Healthcare Sector Under Scrutiny
In a separate action, the FTC has instructed Sevita to divest over 100 facilities as part of resolving antitrust concerns related to its proposed $835 million acquisition of the community living business from BrightSpring Health Services. This acquisition would merge the two largest national providers of residential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Under the proposed consent order, Sevita is required to divest 128 intermediate care facilities and relevant assets located in Indiana, Louisiana, and Texas to the Dungarvin Group. The FTC officials have indicated that this divestiture is essential to maintain competitive choice and quality of care in local markets. A 2-0 vote from the Commission authorized the complaint and accepted the consent agreement for public comment, allowing a 30-day window for public input.
Legal Employment Practices Under Fire
On the same day, FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent notices to 42 prominent law firms, cautioning them that coordinated hiring practices could violate antitrust laws. These firms, which collectively employ over 50,000 attorneys, have participated in the Mansfield Certification program aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics. The FTC expressed concerns that discussions among firms about hiring criteria could lead to unfair competitive practices.
Ferguson emphasized that any form of collusion in hiring, particularly regarding candidate characteristics and sharing sensitive compensation information, risks distorting competition within the legal labor market.
Beyond these enforcement actions, the FTC has also laid out a comprehensive policy agenda aimed at transforming consumer and housing markets. The agency has announced a workshop scheduled for February 26, 2026, titled “Measuring Injuries and Benefits in the Data-Driven Economy.” This workshop will focus on quantifying consumer injuries and benefits associated with data collection and use, and will feature remarks from Chairman Ferguson and senior officials.
Additionally, the FTC has submitted two draft advance notices of proposed rulemaking for review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget. These proposals concern the agency’s Negative Option Rule and regulations regarding fees in the rental housing market. Both have been designated as “significant regulatory actions,” requiring careful review before public comments can be solicited.
These recent actions highlight the FTC’s proactive stance in safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring competitive practices across various industries.
