Peter Pru Prusinowski

Key Points

• Peter Pru Prusinowski, also known as Peter Pru, is the primary individual associated with Empire Holdings Group LLC, operating as Ecommerce Empire Builders (EEB) and Storefunnels.net.

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Prusinowski and Empire Holdings Group LLC in September 2024, alleging deceptive business practices related to an “AI-powered Ecommerce Empire” scheme.

• The FTC claims the scheme misled consumers with false promises of millions in profits through costly training programs and “done-for-you” online storefronts, with little to no financial gain for participants.

• A federal court issued a temporary halt to the scheme, placing it under a receiver’s control, with ongoing legal proceedings.

• No direct consumer reviews or detailed financial records are publicly available in the provided source, limiting insight into customer experiences and financial status.

Overview

Peter Pru Prusinowski, known as Peter Pru, is an entrepreneur and the key figure behind Empire Holdings Group LLC, a company operating under the brand names Ecommerce Empire Builders (EEB) and Storefunnels.net. The company markets business opportunity programs, including training courses costing up to $2,000 and “done-for-you” ecommerce storefronts priced in the tens of thousands. These programs claim to leverage artificial intelligence to help consumers build profitable online businesses, with promises of significant financial returns. Prusinowski is named individually and as an officer of Empire Holdings Group LLC in legal documents, indicating his central role in the company’s operations and marketing strategies. The enterprise targets individuals seeking to start or scale ecommerce ventures, positioning itself as a provider of tools and education for financial success.

Allegations and Concerns

The FTC’s complaint, filed in September 2024, accuses Prusinowski and Empire Holdings Group LLC of operating a deceptive business opportunity scheme. Key allegations include:

• False Earnings Claims: The company allegedly misled consumers by claiming they could earn millions through its programs, despite most participants seeing little to no profit.

• Costly Programs: Training programs costing nearly $2,000 and “done-for-you” storefronts priced at tens of thousands were marketed as pathways to wealth, but the FTC alleges they delivered minimal value.

• Deceptive Marketing: The scheme used exaggerated or baseless claims about AI-driven ecommerce success to entice consumers, misrepresenting the ease and profitability of the business model.

• Court Intervention: As a result of the FTC’s complaint, a federal court in the Arizona District issued an order in September 2024 to temporarily halt the scheme’s operations and appointed a receiver to oversee the company’s assets and activities.

These allegations suggest significant ethical and legal concerns regarding Prusinowski’s business practices, with potential violations of consumer protection laws.

Customer Feedback

The provided source does not include direct consumer reviews or specific feedback from participants in Ecommerce Empire Builders’ programs. Without access to platforms like Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau, or social media reviews, it’s challenging to summarize customer experiences. However, the FTC’s complaint implies widespread dissatisfaction, as it alleges that the promised profits “fail to materialize” for most consumers. The absence of positive testimonials or documented success stories in the source further suggests a lack of verifiable customer satisfaction. Negative sentiment is inferred from the FTC’s action, which typically follows patterns of consumer complaints or reports of financial harm. For a comprehensive view, further investigation into consumer review platforms or social media would be necessary.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Consumers face significant financial risk due to the high costs of EEB’s programs (up to tens of thousands of dollars) with no guaranteed returns. The FTC’s allegations suggest participants are unlikely to achieve the promised profits, potentially leading to substantial losses.

• Reputational Risk: Prusinowski’s association with a federally scrutinized scheme damages his credibility as an entrepreneur. Negative publicity from the FTC lawsuit could deter future business partnerships or customer trust.

• Legal Risk: The ongoing FTC lawsuit and court-ordered receivership pose immediate legal risks, including potential fines, permanent injunctions, or personal liability for Prusinowski. The case could also lead to further regulatory scrutiny of his future ventures.

• Operational Risk: The court’s intervention and asset freeze may disrupt Empire Holdings Group’s operations, limiting Prusinowski’s ability to continue or launch similar business ventures.

Business Relations and Associations

• Empire Holdings Group LLC: Prusinowski is the primary officer and individual named in the FTC lawsuit, indicating he holds a leadership role in the company’s operations and decision-making.

• Ecommerce Empire Builders (EEB) and Storefunnels.net: These are the primary brands under which Empire Holdings Group operates, both directly tied to Prusinowski’s business activities.

• No Additional Partnerships Identified: The source does not mention specific business partners, affiliates, or other individuals involved in the scheme beyond Prusinowski and Empire Holdings Group LLC. Further investigation into corporate filings or marketing materials could reveal additional associations.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• FTC Lawsuit (September 2024): The FTC filed a complaint against Prusinowski and Empire Holdings Group LLC in the Arizona District Court (Case: 2:2024mc00041), alleging deceptive practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The lawsuit claims the company misled consumers about earnings potential and the value of its programs. A federal court issued a temporary restraining order, halting operations and placing the company under receivership. The case is ongoing, with potential for further penalties or injunctions.

• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: The source does not indicate any bankruptcy filings or unpaid debts tied to Prusinowski or Empire Holdings Group LLC. However, the court-ordered receivership suggests financial oversight due to the lawsuit.

• Potential Consumer Losses: The FTC’s complaint highlights that consumers paid significant sums (up to tens of thousands) for programs that failed to deliver, indicating potential financial harm to participants.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Peter Pru Prusinowski’s involvement with Empire Holdings Group LLC and its brands, Ecommerce Empire Builders and Storefunnels.net, presents a troubling case of alleged deceptive business practices. The FTC’s intervention underscores serious concerns about the legitimacy of the company’s claims, particularly its promises of AI-driven ecommerce success. While the concept of ecommerce training and “done-for-you” storefronts is not inherently fraudulent, the FTC’s allegations suggest a pattern of overpromising and underdelivering, potentially exploiting consumers’ aspirations for financial independence.

Pros:

• Prusinowski’s programs tap into the growing interest in ecommerce and AI, which could appeal to entrepreneurial audiences if delivered transparently.

• The “done-for-you” model may offer convenience for those lacking technical skills, assuming it provides genuine value.

Cons:

• The FTC’s allegations of false earnings claims and minimal consumer returns indicate a high likelihood of misleading marketing.

• High costs (up to tens of thousands) make the programs inaccessible for many and risky given the lack of proven results.

• The ongoing lawsuit and receivership signal significant legal and operational instability.

Cautionary Advice: Consumers and potential partners should exercise extreme caution when considering involvement with Prusinowski or his companies. The FTC lawsuit and lack of verifiable success stories suggest a high risk of financial loss and disappointment. Those interested in ecommerce education should seek providers with transparent track records, verified testimonials, and reasonable pricing. Monitoring the outcome of the FTC case is advisable before engaging with Prusinowski or his ventures.

Key Citations

• Federal Trade Commission. (2024, September 25). Empire Holdings Group LLC, et al. FTC v. Retrieved from https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/empire-holdings-group-llc-et-al-ftc-v

• Justia Dockets & Filings. (2024, September 27). Federal Trade Commission v. Empire Holdings Group LLC et al. Retrieved from https://dockets.justia.com