Class Claims Shaq & Lamar Odom|Endorse Bogus ‘Power’ Bracelet

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A federal class action claims Shaquille O'Neal and Lamar Odom endorse a bogus Power Balance "performance technology" bracelet that claims to "optimize the body's natural energy flow," and improve "strength, balance and flexibility." It's pure snake oil, says the class, which also sued Power Balance LLC and the men who run it, Josh and Tony Rodarmel and Keith Kato.

Lead plaintiff Brian Casserly says he paid $79.95 for the bracelet or pendant, that contains a hologram that's supposed to give him better "strength, balance and flexibility."

"In fact, the Power Balance holograms are nothing short of snake oil," he says in his federal complaint. "Despite defendants' representations that the hologram with enhance consumers' 'strength, balance and flexibility,' it is biologically incapable of doing so. Plaintiff and other purchasers paid as much as $79.95 for Power Balance products with the expectation that they would enjoy greater 'strength, balance and flexibility,' but they did not.

"Indeed, Power Balance Australia, which sells products containing the same holograms, recently admitted that '[i]n our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility. We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the [Australia] Trade Practice Act 1974.'" (Brackets in complaint.)

Casserly seeks class damages for people who bought the stuff in the United States. He sued O'Neal and Odom as "paid celebrity endorser[s]" of the bracelet.

He seeks statutory and punitive damages for consumer fraud, false advertising, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment. He is represented by Robyn Crowther with Caldwell Leslie & Proctor.

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