For Immediate Release:
April 1, 2025
For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230
(Montgomery, Ala.) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today announced the execution of a temporary restraining order against a Baldwin County company for falsely claiming to be certified to sell nursery plants and other agricultural products in violation of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The State’s complaint was filed against AKME Group, LLC and AKME, LLC (collectively known as AKME Gardens), Adam Karsten Morck, and Kristina Nis Dias, alleging the company lied to its customers by falsely claiming to be certified to sell nursery products and seeds, and repeatedly accepted payment for orders without ever delivering products to consumers.
“Making false claims to trick buyers into spending large sums of money without delivering a product is not only unfair but illegal under Alabama’s consumer protection laws. In this case, by falsely claiming to be an Alabama-certified nursery, this business also puts our entire agriculture industry at risk by opening the door to harmful plant pests that could cost farmers and consumers. These actions are a serious threat to our community,” said Attorney General Marshall. “We urge any consumers who have been affected by this company to immediately contact the office.”
Since September 30, 2022, AKME Gardens has not been certified by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to sell nursery stock, and it has not been certified to sell seeds for at least the last three years, if ever. Additionally, the Attorney General’s Office has identified consumer complaints dating back to 2021 where AKME Gardens scammed consumers across the United States by consistently accepting payments from those consumers without bothering to provide any products.
The defendants are accused of 24 violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act for false claims about its certification to sell nursery products and seeds. The defendants are accused of another 13 violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act for taking payment for orders it never delivered. In filing the complaint, Attorney General Marshall seeks restitution to the identified consumers, halting all business in the state, the maximum civil penalties, and attorneys’ fees.
Attorney General Marshall appreciates the Silverhill Police Department for their assistance on the case.
Affected consumers are asked to visit https://www.alabamaag.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-5658.
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