MyPillow maker to pay $1 million in false advertising settlement

A pillow manufacturer that claimed its products could help people with fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea has agreed to pay $1 million to settle a false advertising lawsuit filed by Alameda County and eight other California counties.

MyPillow agreed to pay $995,000 in civil penalties and $100,000 in contributions to California charities that offer sleeping accommodations to victims of domestic violence and the homeless, such as Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County.

MyPillow is now barred from making claims in California that its pillows can cure or treat diseases and their symptoms without a human trial to back up the statements.

In the past, testimonials promoted by the company have claimed its products can ease symptoms of everything from cerebral palsy to acid reflux to menopause.

[...] the company has faced a barrage of legal challenges for years, including a lawsuit from early investors alleging they owned a share of MyPillow, a $550,000 breach of contract suit resulting from a convoluted case in which an employee’s personal credit card was allegedly charged $125,000, and a tax evasion case with the state of New York settled for $1.1 million.