CFPB Orders Apple and Goldman Sachs to Pay Over $89 Million for Apple Card Failures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 2024

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CFPB Orders Apple and Goldman Sachs to Pay Over $89 Million for Apple Card Failures

Companies illegally mishandled transaction disputes and misled iPhone purchasers about interest-free payment options

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action against Apple and Goldman Sachs for customer service breakdowns and misrepresentations that impacted hundreds of thousands of Apple Card users. The CFPB found that Apple failed to send tens of thousands of consumer disputes of Apple Card transactions to Goldman Sachs, and when Apple did send disputes to Goldman Sachs, the bank did not follow numerous federal requirements for investigating the disputes. Apple and Goldman launched Apple Card despite third-party warnings to Goldman that the Apple Card disputes system was not ready due to technological issues. These failures meant that consumers faced long waits to get money back for disputed charges, and some had incorrect negative information added to their credit reports. The CFPB is ordering Goldman Sachs to pay at least $19.8 million in redress and a $45 million civil money penalty, and Apple to pay a $25 million civil money penalty. The CFPB is also banning Goldman Sachs from launching a new credit card unless it can provide a credible plan that the product will actually comply with the law.

The CFPB also found that Apple and Goldman Sachs misled consumers about interest-free payment plans for Apple devices. Many customers thought they would automatically get interest-free monthly payments when buying Apple devices with their Apple Card. Instead, they were charged interest. In some cases, Apple did not even show the interest-free payment option on its website on certain browsers. Goldman Sachs also misled consumers about the application of some refunds, which led to consumers paying additional interest charges.

“Apple and Goldman Sachs illegally sidestepped their legal obligations for Apple Card borrowers. Big Tech companies and big Wall Street firms should not behave as if they are exempt from federal law,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “The CFPB is banning Goldman Sachs from offering a new consumer credit card unless it can demonstrate that it can actually follow the law.”

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS), is one of the largest financial institutions in the world. It operates Goldman Sachs Bank USA, headquartered in New York City. Goldman Sachs primarily focuses on investment banking and investment management, not consumer finance. Apple Card was Goldman Sachs’s first significant experiment in credit card lending.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California. Apple entered the financial services market in 2014 and has offered several consumer financial products, including Apple Pay, a mobile payment system and digital wallet service; Apple Cash, a digital debit card allowing for peer-to-peer payments; Apple Pay Later, a Buy Now, Pay Later product; and Apple Card, the company’s first credit card.

Apple Card Partnership

Apple’s business model relies on substantial revenue and profits from sales of its devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. Many of Apple’s products are more expensive than other brands, leading many consumers to finance purchases with payment plans and credit products.

In August 2019, Apple introduced Apple Card in partnership with Goldman Sachs Bank, marking a significant expansion into consumer lending for both companies. The partnership allowed Apple to provide a financing mechanism to ratchet up sales of its devices, including iPhones and iPads. The Apple Card also sought to induce more spending at Apple’s retail stores and Apple’s App Store.

Goldman Sachs’ involvement in Apple Card was part of the bank’s foray into consumer finance, which began in 2016 with the launch of its Marcus brand. Despite limited experience in the consumer credit card market, the Apple Card partnership offered Goldman Sachs a prime opportunity to establish itself in the market.

With the Apple Card, Goldman Sachs extends credit to consumers and handles account servicing. Apple designed the customer-facing interfaces used to manage Apple Card accounts on Apple devices. That includes a “Report an Issue” feature which allows consumers to dispute Apple Card transactions. Apple was also deeply involved in marketing and advertising.

Apple and Goldman’s agreement incentivized an earlier introduction of Apple Card by giving Apple the right to impose a $25 million penalty for each 90-day delay caused by Goldman. Four days before launch, the Goldman Sachs board of directors learned that critical Apple Card disputes systems were “not fully ready” due to technological issues, but the companies proceeded anyway.

Later, in December 2019, Goldman Sachs and Apple introduced a new feature called Apple Card Monthly Installments, which allows users to finance the purchase of certain Apple devices with Apple Card directly from Apple through interest-free monthly installments, similar to a Buy Now, Pay Later product.

Servicing and Communications Meltdowns

When Apple’s customers experienced improper charges or filed disputes, the systems developed by the companies failed to address them. Under federal law, when consumers dispute transactions as fraudulent or unauthorized financial institutions must conduct a timely inquiry on what went wrong. Goldman Sachs failed to adhere to this requirement. Separately, many disputes submitted to Apple were not even sent to Goldman Sachs at all. Additionally, Apple’s deceptive marketing materials and illegal conduct caused consumers to pay interest on purchases of iPhones and other Apple devices with Apple Card that they believed would be covered by an interest-free payment plan. The CFPB’s investigation found violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act and the Truth in Lending Act.  The CFPB also found that the companies harmed consumers by:

  • Failing to process or share consumer disputes: Apple Card users were directed to dispute transactions through a “Report an Issue” feature in the Wallet app. For some disputes, Apple sent consumers a separate link in the Messages app asking for more information. Apple failed to send these disputes to Goldman Sachs if the second form was incomplete. Even after Goldman Sachs alerted Apple to this issue, the problem persisted. As a result, neither Apple nor Goldman Sachs investigated tens of thousands of such disputes and cardholders were unfairly held responsible for disputed transactions.
  • Failing to investigate cardholder disputes: For the disputes that Apple did send to Goldman Sachs, the bank failed to consistently send acknowledgment notices within 30 days, conduct reasonable investigations, or send resolution letters explaining the determinations of its investigations within 90 days. These failures led to Goldman Sachs illegally placing damaging information on consumers’ credit reports and holding cardholders responsible for potentially fraudulent or unauthorized purchases.
  • Misleading cardholders about a payment plan for iPhones and other Apple products: The marketing of the Apple Card Monthly Installments plan led consumers to believe they would automatically receive interest-free financing when purchasing iPhones and other Apple devices with their Apple Card. The plan allowed cardholders to purchase Apple devices through a series of interest-free payments over a period of six months to two years. However, many cardholders were unknowingly charged interest because they were not automatically enrolled as expected. They also faced confusing checkout options about enrolling in the plan. For online purchases, Apple only presented the payment plan as an option to consumers using Apple’s own Safari browser. Due to Apple and Goldman’s actions, instead of making interest-free payments, thousands of cardholders purchased Apple devices on interest-bearing revolving balances and incurred interest charges.
  • Misleading cardholders about refunds: Cardholders with an Apple Card Monthly Installments plan essentially had two card balances – the plan balance and their interest-bearing revolving balance. For more than 10,000 cardholders, Goldman Sachs misled consumers about how it would apply certain refunds between the two balances. Contrary to Goldman’s representations, portions of refunds for unrelated purchases were applied to the interest-free plan balance instead of the interest-bearing revolving balance. As a result, consumers incurred additional and unexpected interest expenses.

Enforcement Action

Under the Consumer Financial Protection Act, the CFPB has the authority to take action against institutions that violate federal consumer financial laws, including by engaging in unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices. The CFPB also has the authority to enforce the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.

Today’s order against Apple requires the company to pay a civil money penalty of $25 million, which will be paid into the CFPB’s victims relief fund.

The CFPB is also ordering Goldman Sachs to pay at least $19.8 million in redress to victims for its role in marketing, offering, and servicing the Apple Card. Goldman Sachs must also pay a $45 million civil money penalty. Before introducing any new credit card product, Goldman Sachs must give the CFPB a credible plan for how the product will comply with the law. If Goldman Sachs makes another attempt to enter the credit card market, the CFPB plans to closely police the company to avoid repeat offenses.

Read today’s order against Apple.

Read today’s order against Goldman Sachs.

Consumers can submit complaints about financial products and services by visiting the CFPB’s website or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

Employees who believe their company has violated federal consumer financial protection laws are encouraged to send information about what they know to whistleblower@cfpb.gov. To learn more about reporting potential industry misconduct, visit the CFPB’s website.

The Incomparable Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival Readies for Another Great Event

The Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival: A Premiere Event in Broomfield, Colorado

Every year, the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival transforms the picturesque city of Broomfield, Colorado into the epicenter of cigar culture. Hosted at the luxurious Omni Interlocken Hotel, this event has become a staple for aficionados and casual smokers alike, offering an unparalleled experience in the world of cigars, spirits, and music.

A Glimpse into the Festival

The Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of the art and tradition of cigar smoking. Set against the towering backdrop of the Omni Interlocken Hotel on its sloping hill, the festival attracts thousands of cigar enthusiasts from all over the World, eager to sample a diverse array of cigars, beers, and spirits. The festival’s impressive lineup includes prominent brands such as Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel, Drew Estate, Foundation, La Galera, Espinosa, La Palina, Smoker Friendly, Gurkha, and many others. Each year, these brands come together to showcase their finest offerings, providing attendees with the opportunity to purchase and to explore new favorites and revisit classic choices.

Beyond the vast selection of cigars, the festival boasts an impressive roster of beer and spirits vendors, ensuring that there’s a perfect pairing for every palate. Whether you’re savoring a smooth bourbon or enjoying a craft beer, the festival’s variety of beverages complements the rich and diverse flavors of the cigars on offer.

Live Music and Entertainment

Adding to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere of live music that sets the perfect tone for the event. From jazz to rock, the live entertainment enhances the experience, creating an ambiance that’s as sophisticated as it is lively. The combination of great music and great cigars makes for an unforgettable experience that resonates long after the festival ends.

The Cigar Network’s Coverage

One of the highlights of the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is the coverage provided by The Cigar Network. This dedicated platform has been an integral part of the festival for years, bringing its extensive reach and expertise to the event. The Cigar Network captures every moment, from the bustling booths of cigar and spirit vendors to the relaxed enjoyment of festivalgoers. Their comprehensive coverage provides valuable insights, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the festival’s operations and highlights.

The Cigar Network’s involvement not only amplifies the festival’s reach but also underscores its importance in the cigar community. Their detailed reporting and engaging content help fans who can’t attend in person stay connected and immersed in the festival’s excitement.

A Class Above

The Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is renowned for its organization, elegance, and sheer enjoyment. Every aspect of the event is meticulously planned to ensure a seamless experience for attendees. From the layout of the vendor booths to the scheduling of live performances, every detail contributes to a sophisticated and enjoyable atmosphere.

In a country with numerous cigar events, the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival stands out as the most organized and classy affair. Its ability to consistently deliver an exceptional experience year after year speaks volumes about its dedication to celebrating cigar culture in the most enjoyable way possible.

As the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival approaches each year, excitement builds among cigar enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. With its stunning venue, exceptional vendors, lively music, and the invaluable coverage provided by The Cigar Network, it’s no wonder the festival sells out annually. For anyone passionate about cigars, spirits, and a great time, this event is the ultimate destination—an experience that’s truly a cut above the rest.

ALLEGED ABUSIVE COACH: Murrieta Superior Court Judge Denies Football Coach’s Petition for Restraining Order Against Parent of a Former Player

Murrieta Superior Court Judge Denies Football Coach’s Petition for Restraining Order Against Parent of a Former Player

Vista Murrieta High School Defensive Backs Coach, who is also Head Coach and Commissioner of the Murrieta Broncos Junior All-American Football Team and the Frat Boyz Club 7 on 7 Football Team, claims to have feared for his life and sought protection

  • Murrieta Superior Court Judge Denies Football Coach's Petition for Restraining Order Against Parent of a Former Player
  • Murrieta Superior Court Judge Denies Football Coach's Petition for Restraining Order Against Parent of a Former Player
  • Murrieta Superior Court Judge Denies Football Coach's Petition for Restraining Order Against Parent of a Former Player
  • Murrieta Superior Court Judge Denies Football Coach's Petition for Restraining Order Against Parent of a Former Player
  • Murrieta Broncos President and Commissioner - Kyle Jackson and Chris Mercadal

Temecula, California Jun 5, 2023  – On May 10, 2023, Christopher Lee Mercadal filed California Judicial Form CH-109 – a Notice of Court Hearing (Civil Harassment Prevention), accompanied by Judicial Form CH-110 – Temporary Restraining Order (see photos), in a Murrieta Superior Court, seeking to have Tommy Sevilla, a former friend, former Murrieta Junior All-American Football Associate Chapter AD and Deputy Commissioner of the Murrieta Broncos, banned from all “Southern California Junior All-American Football” fields and schools in the Murrieta area where the Defendant’s children participate in youth sports (Mercadal v Sevilla Case #: CVSW2302721 ).

Later in the week, Petitioner Mercadal had the Riverside County Sheriff serve Defendant Sevilla at his home. The Sheriff’s Deputy was obligated by law to have Sevilla surrender any and all firearms that he had in his possession in lieu of the May 11th Superior Court Hearing. Sevilla had no weapons to surrender, and Sevilla would later testify to the Court that he has never owned a firearm, nor has he been in possession of one, and that Mercadal was making false statements about gun possession to deceive the Court into granting his baseless Petition, especially as firearms have never been mentioned in any of their conversations.

Mercadal’s Petition to the Court also claimed that Sevilla was a Central American “gang member” (Sevilla is Mexican and Puerto Rican) who owned, had possession of, or had access to guns and fellow gang members that Mercadal feared could harm him. Mercadal further testified to the Court that Sevilla labeled him as a “child abuser” and was upset that Sevilla made these allegations against him to Kyle Jackson – President of the Murrieta Broncos Junior All-American Football team, the principles within the Southern California Junior All-American Football organization, as well as Vista Murrieta High School administrators and to Head Coach – Coley Candaele; former Head Coach Pederson and their athletic director – Carl Galloway.

The feud between the former friends and colleagues within the Murrieta Junior All-American Youth Football Organization and Frat Boyz team organization started when Sevilla wrote an email to Coach Mercadal as a parent and friend, touching on matters of concern that directly affected his family and his son; namely that Sevilla’s son was loyal to Merc, had chosen to skip a TrialNet Study for Type 1 Diabetes at Standford University in order to accommodate Mercadal’s request for Sevilla’s son to play up in age group with the 12u Frat Boyz team in a tournament whereby they would play the elite OG Ducks team on Sevilla’s son’s birthday no less. When Sevilla’s son, a very skilled athlete, would receive zero playing time in that game, Sevilla’s son was dejected and both were obviously miffed at the fact that all of the coach’s son’s, many of whom are not at the skill level of Sevilla, played in the game. Sevilla, in his email to Merc, pointed out these things and told Merc that the rivalries were not between the players, but rather between the coaches who get the huge trophy afterward and whose sons get the MVP trophies while the rest of the players don’t so much as get a bottle of water, according to Sevilla’s email to Merc (see attached), written in a non-threatening and even pleasant manner, ending it with an invitation to smoke cigars and drink whiskey. Mercadal’s violent and disrespectful response to Sevilla about his son would set the tone for the future marked by retaliation. First, based upon information and belief, Mercadal would immediately lobby to have Sevilla removed from the MJAAF Board, which he was, but Sevilla, also the League’s Webmaster, would never learn of such a move until it was time to log in to the website from which he was now suddenly blocked from accessing. Following these events, Sevilla and his family would be harassed and threatened by a colleague of Mercadal’s – youth football coach, Reginald Kemp, known as “Coach Kemp”, who would threaten in text messages to harm Sevilla’s kids and his wife, repeatedly telling Sevilla that he knew where his kids slept and where he lived. When Sevilla reached out to MJAAF President – Kyle Jackson and Mercadal about their colleague and to intervene – they took no action and effectively refused to protect their player. What would follow would be the incident where his son, after Sevilla pulled him from the Murrieta organizations and placed him with Menifee Wildcats and Relentless Premier Athletes, the violent hits to his son and grandson in touch 7 on 7 football and tackle scrimmages; hence the paper trail of complaints that Mercadal would be upset by and take legal action against, claiming that he now feared for his life after the allegations of harming Sevilla’s son and grandson. Sevilla never responded to Mercadal’s response, which also degraded Sevilla’s son and told Sevilla to “kiss [his] ass” and to take his son to one of the many other organizations in the area. Sevilla’s son was a key player and defensive and special team starter on Mercadal’s 2021/2022 Micro Division Super Bowl Championship team and was starting quarterback for Mercadal’s Frat Boyz 10u team.

During the Court Hearing, Mercadal claimed that Sevilla never sought an investigation into the allegations but in Sevilla’s response to the Court, Sevilla produced letters to the Court in evidence; letters to Mercadal’s superiors and testified at length to the contrary stating that he wrote in complaint, adhering to the chain of command, by first requesting investigation by Kyle Jackson of the Murrieta Broncos (MJAAF), then Southern California Junior All American Football (SCJAAF), and only Vista Murrieta High School and District Officials after those organizations failed to respond to his written complaints and requests for investigation, informing Murrieta Valley School District Officials of a “rogue” coach whose coaching style and violent culture will expose them to liability issues and potential lawsuit from him as they, in effect, sanction and endorse his behavior by allowing him and his organizations to identify with the high school “Broncos” and utilize their facilities, warning them that other kids can fall victim in the future. According to Sevilla’s correspondence with Vista Murrieta and Murrieta Valley officials, he admonished them for choosing to remain deliberately indifferent and negligent. Sevilla has yet to receive the results of any investigation into the alleged intentional targeting of his son and grandson from Vista Murrieta High School, MJAAF, SCJAAF, or the Frat Boyz.

At the Hearing, Mercadal, after seeing the voluminous response filed by Sevilla, would return to Court, after the recess, with defaming written statements from Sevilla’s ex-assistant baseball coaches of several seasons (Sevilla was Head Coach): Destrian Vallejo and George Uhila, both of whom were brought into the aforementioned Murrieta youth football organizations by Sevilla but the Judge would cut Mercadal’s introduction of his alleged new exhibits short and admonish him about the burden he carries to prove his allegations, rather than defame the Defendant, as well as proper discovery to the Defendant, who was previously unaware of such written letters and was not previously served with them. The Murrieta Judge further informed Mercadal that Sevilla had a right to make such complaints to his “employers”, as Mercadal referred to them as being, and that Sevilla’s response to Mercadal’s alleged actions was understandable in light of the context of physical injury to his child and grandchild and that he saw no evidence of Sevilla ever having engaged in gang activity or having any recent criminal legal troubles. The Judge would however, ask Sevilla point blank if he challenged Mercadal to a fight and Sevilla admitted to the Court that his statement to Mercadal, which Mercadal produced in Court relative to challenging Mercadal to settle the matters like grown men, were true, but promised to the Court that he would not beat Mercadal up for allegedly harming his son and grandson and that the aforementioned organizations should’ve been responsible in sanctioning Mercadal.

Petitioner Mercadal’s Petition was DENIED in its fullness and the previous Temporary Restraining Order Pending Hearing was VACATED.

Sevilla adds that he was approached after the Hearing by others present in the hallway, including his young son, who overheard an adult couple ask Mercadal if he had “won” his Hearing after he exited the Courtroom and to which Mercadal reply confidently, “I’ll get him next time,” while doing the Crip Walk.

Statement from Defendant Sevilla:

“Chris Mercadal or Coach Merc as he is known is a legend in his own mind and can now also be known as one who has made many false and unprovable allegations to the Superior Court of California to cause further injury to my child, grandchild, and family. Here he is, a grown-ass man who is known within the youth football community for his lack of class, inciteful behavior, and starting shit while hiding behind his coaches and parents – teaching his players to yell out ‘SQUUUUAAAADDD’, (i.e. hit squad) along with him, his coaches and parents after scores, violent hits and simply to incite and taunt the opposing teams. He is like a little Chihuahua who is all bark and no bite. He says things like ‘come catch a fade’; squats down and throws up signs like a gang member during his photo ops but runs to the authorities and his superiors when somebody real and who doesn’t play around calls his bluff. Apparently, he thought that he could hurt me by – based upon information and belief – causing serious physical injury to my then 11-year-old son and 13-year-old grandson, most recently.

What kind of man does that?

There are many labels to describe such a man, especially when it only happened when I wasn’t present as he knows better than to do that shit when I’m there! I had to hear about it from multiple parents, coaches, and team officials who – based upon information and belief – all believed that it was intentional and at the very least, unwarranted, classless, and illegal. To this very day and even in open Court, Merc has yet to deny the allegations and apologize to all affected but would rather double down and cause further damage with his many false allegations that he failed to prove in Court.

The dude is all about himself as a Coach and should fear every parent whose child is seriously injured by his team’s classless culture and disrespectful style of play. The best thing we ever did was take my son to the Menifee Wildcats and Relentless; those coaches and organizations have shown themselves to be the real deal and have valued my son’s play and leadership, with Coach Darris and Coach D being exceptionally involved and protective against Murrieta Broncos and Frat Boyz bullshit and gossip. Those dudes don’t play either.

For God’s sake, my grandson was clotheslined in a touch football game by Merc’s Frat Boyz team and he and his coaches, parents, and players celebrated the hit and a near riot ensued while he hid behind his coaches and parents as usual.

My son? Merc’s players – my son’s former teammates – called him a ‘traitor’ at JAAF Weight Certification, and he and his coaches were heard by our Menifee coaches and parents all telling their players to ‘get violent’ – according to their statements – before they took my quarterback son out at his knees well after the whistle.

Shame on Celeste Scallion, Vista Murrieta Principal and Coach Pederson, and Candaele and his staff, along with Kyle Jackson of MJAAF, for not taking the matter seriously and not even investigating and responding to me with the results of the investigation. To this very day, I have yet to receive a response from his superiors on my request for investigation, but rather, they have chosen to coddle the one alleged to have acted inappropriately and illegally. They share in Merc’s responsibility, and in Court, I will hold them accountable for their liability in these matters.

Any coach who coaches with or for him and any parent who allows their kid to play for such a guy needs a character check.

The awesome part about all of this and evidential of my son’s character is that he never once complained or raised these issues, however, it greatly affected him emotionally as we as parents could readily see. It was the principals within the organizations, video evidence, and other parents who confirmed Merc’s alleged behavior and that of his players when I wasn’t present and out on business or with my son for the California State Wrestling Championships. he’s a fiercely loyal kid who never complains and can sure as hell handle himself. My follow-up to all of this shameful behavior – as a coach myself for more than 41 years – is to protect other kids and to warn those in the authority of one who doesn’t belong in the coaching ranks or among kids. Hell, Merc has failed to acknowledge my son personally at the subsequent football games and especially in Court where he acted pridefully and arrogantly. At least my son sees now what that dude is all about.”

Sevilla’s son would suffer total pancreatic failure – Type 1 Diabetes – during this timeline of events and season. However, he continues to excel in sports (wrestling, boxing, basketball, baseball, and football) and set an example for others while Insulin-dependent.

The Court transcripts and case information may be accessed here: Media Information (ca.gov)

 

Media Contact

So Cal Local Sports Media*****@socallocalsportsmedia.comhttps://SoCalLocalSportsMedia.com

Categories : Family , Legal , Lifestyle , Society , Sports
Tags : chris mercadal , vista murrieta football , coley candaele , kyle jackson , murrieta broncos , frat boyz , southern california junior all american football , murrieta junior all american football , coach merc , mercadal defensive backs coach

GENERAL CIGARS: EL REY DEL MUNDO SHADE GROWN LAUNCHES

Image result for el rey del mundo cigars logo

 

EL REY DEL MUNDO SHADE GROWN LAUNCHES IN JULY

El Rey del Mundo will release a new expression called “Shade Grown” in July. The line
launches with two full-time sizes and one limited edition vitola.

Handcrafted at HATSA in Honduras, El Rey del Mundo Shade Grown is a Honduran puro that
features a mellow Honduran-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper, a first for the brand. The
wrapper imparts layers of complexity derived from the Honduran Talanga Valley soil. When met
with a Honduran Jamastran binder and masterfully blended with hand-selected Honduran filler
from Copan and Jamastran, the tobaccos create an indulgent, silky-smooth smoke that begins
with roasted nuttiness, transitions to earthiness and cream and builds to incorporate hints of
spice.

Cory Beardsley, assistant brand manager for El Rey del Mundo said, “El Rey del Mundo
continues to grow by popular demand. With Shade Grown we are expanding the brand’s range
with an everyday smoke that delivers on its promise of complexity. This is a satisfying, anytime
smoke and we’re looking forward to sharing it with premium cigar enthusiasts across the
country.”

The cigars will be distributed by Forged Cigar Company, will ship on July 1 and are packed in
20-count wooden boxes. A special Lonsdale size will be available for the launch, and only 500
boxes of this frontmark are being released.

El Rey del Mundo Shade Grown Robusto (5.5 x 50); SRP per cigar $5.99
El Rey del Mundo Shade Grown Toro (6” x 52); SRP per cigar $6.29

El Rey del Mundo Shade Grown Lonsdale (limited edition) (6.5”x 44); SPR per cigar $5.89

Vintage Maduro 2013 Ships

Image result for macanudo cigars logo

 

Vintage Maduro 2013 Ships Today

The world’s first Vintage cigar was created by Macanudo more than 40 years ago to spotlight an exceptional
wrapper produced in part by Mother Nature. Today, the Vintage tradition marches on with Macanudo
Vintage Maduro 2013. The five-country blend reflects optimal climatic conditions and calls upon meticulous
curing and precise maturation techniques perfected by the artisans of Macanudo.

The 2013 growing season saw some of the highest temperatures on record in the Connecticut River Valley,
with soaring humidity and optimal rainfall that yielded an exceptionally brawny Broadleaf tobacco. Cured and
aged for an entire decade to bring forth an array of undeniably diverse notes on the palate, this singular
tobacco makes its debut in Macanudo Vintage 2013.

Ernest Gocaj who oversees the Connecticut growing operations for Macanudo said, “The growing season in
2013 was one of the best I’ve ever seen. The crop was exceptional at harvest, which meant that we had to be
obsessive when it came to monitoring the tobacco during the eight-week curing process. That’s how important
curing is. Our hard work paid off because we ultimately brought the tobacco’s very best attributes to life.”
A master blender’s assortment of tobaccos complement this exceptional wrapper to create the rich indulgence
that is Macanudo Vintage 2013. The filler is made up of Dominican Piloto Cubano from two different primings,
along with Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan Jalapa. The binder is Honduran OSA.

With an enticing aroma of cedar and earth, this indulgent smoke delivers an orchestra of nuances including
leather and earth which contrast beautifully against the backdrop of wood and espresso, setting the stage for
a memorable smoking experience.

Macanudo Vintage 2013 is shipping to retailers today and will be released in three sizes, each chosen to
enhance the superlative blend. The cigars are individually encased in cedar wrapping and are presented in
handmade, solid wood boxes that protect 20 expertly-crafted cigars, each made by artisans at General Cigar
Dominicana in Santiago, DR.

Robusto (5” x 50); SRP per cigar $11.99
Toro Grande (6” x 54); SRP per cigar $12.99
Churchill (7 x 49); SRP per cigar $13.29

Macanudo cigars are distributed by General Cigar.

CAO CIGARS: PILÓN AÑEJO RETURNS AS A FULL-TIME LINE

PILÓN AÑEJO RETURNS AS A FULL-TIME LINE

CAO Pilón Añejo is back by popular demand and returns as a full-time line with limited availability,
due to the intensive fermentation and finished cigar aging that gives the blend its signature depth
and character.

Senior Brand Manager Ed Lahmann said, “When CAO Pilón Añejo launched last Spring, it quickly
became apparent that we needed to make this blend more than just a one-time offering. So we took
on the labor and time intensive methods needed to ferment the tobacco and age the cigars and are
making this a full-time brand for CAO. Given the work that goes into this blend, production
quantities will be limited but the good news is that we’re able to deliver what our retailers and fans
have asked of us.”

Handcrafted in Danli, Honduras at STG’s HATSA factory, CAO Pilón Añejo relies on circular pilóns to
heighten the smoking experience and aesthetics of the cigar’s Cuban seed Ecuadorian Sumatra
wrapper. The blend is rich and savory, consisting of Nicaraguan and Dominican filler tobacco,
beneath a Honduran Habano binder. The result is a medium-to-full-bodied smoke that bears a deep,
rich color and savory notes of wood, earth and toast, with a touch of spice.
CAO Pilón Añejo began shipping this week. The line is presented in 20-count boxes, in the three
sizes listed below.

CAO Pilon Añejo Robusto (5.5” x 54); SRP per cigar $8.89
CAO Pilon Añejo Toro (6” x 52); SRP per cigar $8.99
CAO Pilon Añejo Gigante (5.88” x 60); SRP per cigar $9.29

CAO cigars are distributed by General Cigar.

EL REY DEL MUNDO NATURALS FIVE PACK COMING IN APRIL

EL REY DEL MUNDO NATURALS FIVE PACK COMING IN APRIL

 

El Rey del Mundo Naturals, the Honduran-made line that launched in March 2022 will welcome
a five pack featuring its fan-favorite toro.

The bold, red “Locked-In Humidity” pack includes a Boveda humidification pouch to keep the
cigars fresh outside of a humidor for on-the-go smoking experiences.

Handcrafted by artisans at the HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras, El Rey Del Mundo Naturals is
a mellow-to-medium-bodied smoke featuring an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, a Honduran
binder and a Honduran and Nicaraguan filler. The cigar delivers a smoking experience that is
richly layered, with a subtle note of white pepper, surrounded by deeper notes of cedar and
graham cracker.

Steve Abbot, director of marketing for STG said, “El Rey del Mundo is loaded with complexity,
versatile when it comes to pairing and accessibly priced. These factors have earned the brand a
devoted following over the last year. With this five pack, we’re making it convenient for cigar
lovers to enjoy the popular Reserva Salado frontmark anytime that calls for a great cigar.”

Reserva Salado (6” x 54); $29.99 per five pack

DIESEL DISCIPLE ADDS NEW SIZES

DIESEL DISCIPLE ADDS NEW SIZES

Diesel Disciple will welcome two new sizes as permanent additions to the brand’s growing
lineup.

The soon-to-be-released Toro and Torpedo vitolas will mark the second and third sizes in the
line and will begin shipping this week.

Justin Andrews said, “We decided to launch two new sizes of Diesel Disciple this year because
the blend has gotten such a strong endorsement from the retail community. They love the
blend and the packaging and often tell us that Disciple smokes like a $20 cigar for half the
price. We’re looking forward to rolling out the new formats and will continue to expand the line
according to demand from retailers and cigar smokers.”

Handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua and developed in collaboration
between AJ and STG’s Justin Andrews, Diesel Disciple is a robust and balanced cigar blended to
stand out in the medium-full spectrum.

Made with a Mexican San Andreas wrapper, an Ecuadoran Sumatra binder and a filler
exclusively comprised of Nicaraguan Habano from Esteli, the cigar exemplifies blending
expertise with an unexpected layer of sweetness that creates intrigue against Disciple’s bold
and peppery notes.

Diesel Disciple Toro (6.25” x 52); SRP per cigar $9.99
Diesel Disciple Torpedo (6.5” x 54); SRP per cigar $10.49

Both new Diesel Disciple sizes come in 10-count boxes. The line is distributed by Forged Cigar
Company.

Originally released to the top US brick and mortar retailers as a TAA exclusive in 2021, Diesel
Disciple became a full-time line in 2022 when the brand’s sole frontmark a Lancero (7” x 38)
became available in all channels.

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PCA Applauds Governor Grisham’s Veto of Harmful Cigar Tax Increase in New Mexico

PCA Applauds Governor Grisham’s Veto of Harmful Cigar Tax Increase in New Mexico

 

Washington, D.C. – The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) today expressed its appreciation to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for vetoing the harmful 25% cigar tax hike in H.B. 547. The veto shields New Mexico premium cigar retailers from the adverse consequences such a drastic tax increase would have on their business.

 

PCA Director of State Advocacy, Glynn Loope, said, “We are grateful to Governor Grisham for recognizing the impact this tax increase would have had on small businesses and consumers in New Mexico, especially during these challenging times. Her decision to veto the cigar tax will undoubtedly work to keep sales of premium cigars in New Mexico.”

 

However, actions by the legislature to strip the cigar tax cap during the session need to be addressed. Loope stated, “Last week, I spoke to the Governor’s Office on this issue. Procedurally, her hands were tied. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Office and legislative allies to revisit this matter in the 2024 session.”

 

Loope continued, “We are pleased that the legislation that would have banned flavored tobacco products, as well as legislation that would have granted local governments sweeping authority over tobacco products failed to advance. We appreciate all of our premium cigar advocates, both retailers and consumers alike, who let their voices be heard on these issues.”

 

PCA represents over 3,000 members nationwide, including retailers, manufacturers, and distributors of premium cigars, and works to protect the interests of the premium cigar industry. The association has been advocating for the protection of premium cigars from harmful regulation, taxes, and other measures that threaten the industry.