Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin O. Parks issued a temporary restraining order today against The Infinity Group Company, a Fairport Harbor, Ohio, company. The temporary restraining order prohibits the company from selling any securities until it complies with a subpoena and examination request by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Securities.

The injunction furthers an ongoing investigation by the Division of Securities. The Division has gathered evidence which gives it reason to believe that The Infinity Group Company is engaging in the sale of securities without complying with Ohio's securities laws. The Division became aware of the Infinity Group through its Internet Monitoring Program. Under this program, the Division searches the Internet for offerings available to Ohioans to ensure that the offerings comply with Ohio's securities laws.

Infinity, which is primarily conducting business through the Internet, is engaged in the sale of securities in the form of "Capital Units" in a purported trust. The Division has evidence indicating that Infinity has raised several million dollars from investors, including approximately 80 Ohio residents. Based on this information, the Division sought to review documents and examine Infinity's operation. The Division sought the injunction after Infinity refused to obey the Division's subpoena and refused to permit a Division examiner access to its offices to conduct the examination.

"I am very pleased that the court has allowed the investigation in this case to continue," said Director of Commerce Donna Owens. "We must be permitted to use our investigatory authority to the maximum extent of the law in order to ensure full investor protection," she added.

Securities Commissioner Thomas Geyer stated: "I am very concerned about this case because of the amount of money that has been raised and the apparent disregard for the securities laws."

Ohio residents who may have invested with The Infinity Group Company should telephone the Ohio Investor Protection Hotline at 1-800-788-1194 (or (614) 466-6140 in central Ohio) if they believe they have information which may assist the Division's investigation, or if they have questions regarding their investment or the Division's investigation.

# # #

The Division of Securities promotes an honest and fair securities market where individuals and businesses can raise capital and investors can expect a fair return on their investment. Other Commerce divisions enforce regulations regarding industrial compliance, financial institutions, real estate, auctioneers, and unclaimed funds, among others. The former Department of Liquor Control joined the Department on July 1, 1997 as the Division of Liquor Control.