FTC Quietly Agrees to Waive Enforcement of Anti-Discrimination Orders Against Auto Dealers

The Federal Trade Commission has signed agreements to refrain from enforcing portions of three federal court orders targeting auto dealers accused of credit discrimination. The deals were made without notifying the judges who issued the original orders. At least one co-plaintiff in the cases was also kept in the dark about the agreements. The move raises legal and ethical concerns, as the FTC effectively agreed to overlook conduct deemed unlawful by federal courts. The circumstances under which these non-enforcement agreements were reached remain unclear.