The Sconi

Attorney General Josh Kaul announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured a judgment against two Florida-based companies and their owners for a business certificate scam targeting thousands of Wisconsin businesses. The judgment mandates that the defendants pay over $3.5 million, including more than $600,000 in refunds to affected businesses.

“This significant judgment sends an unmistakable message that scams are not tolerated in Wisconsin,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Wisconsin DOJ will continue cracking down on deceptive business practices that target other businesses or consumers.”

Secretary Randy Romanski of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) echoed this sentiment: “This judgment serves as a reminder that scams and fraud are not welcome in Wisconsin. It took hard work by staff at DATCP and the DOJ to reach this point, but their perseverance has paid off and Centurion is being held accountable.”

The DOJ initiated legal action against Florida-based Centurion Filing Services, LLC, which operated as “WI Certificate Service,” in September 2022 based on a referral from DATCP. The lawsuit alleged that Centurion sent mailers to tens of thousands of Wisconsin businesses, making it appear as though they were from a government office and urging recipients to purchase a Certificate of Status for $72.50. In reality, businesses are not required to buy such certificates; those wishing to do so can obtain them from the Department of Financial Institutions for $10. Over 7,000 Wisconsin businesses placed orders with the defendants and are now entitled to refunds under the court’s order.

The lawsuit also named Centurion’s owners—Dean Marshlack, David Marshlack, and Brian Capobianco—as defendants, alleging they had knowledge and control over the company’s illegal activities. The lawsuit was later amended to include Corporate Certificates, LLC—a related business owned by the same individuals engaged in similar illegal conduct. The court found all five defendants liable.

The court's judgment requires the defendants to send refund notices to every affected Wisconsin business and refund each one $72.50 per order, totaling over $626,000 in refunds. Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to pay more than $2.8 million in monetary penalties and costs. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost entered the judgment.

A copy of the court’s liability ruling, final judgment, and a list of businesses entitled to refunds are included below. Affected businesses with questions about the refund process may contact DOJ’s Public Protection Unit by phone at 608-266-1852 or email ( ).

Assistant Attorney General Colin Stroud represented the state in this case with support from Paralegals Wendy Phifer and Barbara Burr. The case was investigated and referred by DATCP staff Carmen Reeder, Nicole Raisbeck, and attorney Paul LaZotte.