08/14/2026
ALEX GOEN Hypnosis out here giving hypnosis a bad rep! I see he's in my town this weekend.
So WE RECOMMEND keeping your money in your pocket instead of giving it to this guy. Lawsuit brought 21 years ago:
"Attorney General Harvey Announces Settlement of Lawsuit Against TrimSpa Maker Concerning Marketing of Ephedra
Goen Agrees to Pay $750,000 and Revise Marketing Practices
NEWARK— Attorney General Peter C. Harvey today announced a settlement of the lawsuit against Goen Technologies Corp. and related companies (“Goen”), which allegedly lured consumers to weight-loss and stop-smoking seminars by promoting hypnotism as a drug-free alternative. Goen has agreed to pay restitution to the consumers who filed complaints with the Division of Consumer Affairs and revise marketing practices.
In addition to customer restitution, Goen will pay the State $750,000 to fund future consumer initiatives and to pay its investigative costs.
While promising drug-free help through hypnosis, the State alleged in its lawsuit that the undisclosed purpose of the seminars was to sell Goen dietary supplements including TrimSpa and Lipo Spa.
“Consumers who expected to learn about the benefits of hypnosis instead were essentially given a sales pitch about these dietary supplements,” Acting Governor Richard J. Codey said. “This was a classic bait and switch scheme that targeted vulnerable consumers struggling to lose weight. We’ve put a stop to these deceptive practices in order to protect consumers.”
Attorney General Harvey outlined the terms of the settlement, which require Goen in its ads or promotions for any future weight-loss or stop-smoking seminar, to:
disclose the costs of attending the seminar;
disclose the costs of any supplements that are recommended as an integral part of the program; and
disclose the costs of contacting a medical professional to determine whether the program is a safe and effective approach to weight loss.
“Consumers should not be tricked into buying products,” said Attorney General Harvey. “They are entitled to know all the relevant facts before buying a product, especially a supplement that a consumer puts directly into his or her body and that can directly impact the health of the purchaser. We alleged that Goen failed in its disclosure obligation by downplaying the risks and exaggerating the benefits of its products. Goen also suggested in its ads that a federal patent for one of its products equated to a government endorsement of the safety and effectiveness of that product, which is certainly not true.”
The Goen settlement is the second such agreement reached in the past month with the manufacturer of a weight-loss supplement. Nutraquest Inc., formerly known as Cytodyne Technologies Inc., and related companies also agreed to revise their marketing and advertising practices and to contribute to a $940,000 settlement with the State. A third lawsuit filed against another dietary supplement manufacturer, N.V.E. Inc., is pending.
“Nothing comes easily, especially where weight loss is concerned,” Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly Ricketts said. “With the Goen and Nutraquest settlements, we’re saying ‘no more false promises, no more false hopes.’ Consumers have the right to information about what to expect that is both truthful and not misleading.”
Deputy Attorney General Joshua T. Rabinowitz represented the State in this matter. Investigator Allyson Garner led the investigation of consumer complaints..."
