The war of words between Herbalife and its critics is flaring up.
Last week Herbalife sent a “cease and desist” letter to a Latino activist who organized a protest at Herbalife’s Chicago pep rally on Friday.
Julie Contreras, a community organizer with the League of United Latin American Citizens, has been helping Hispanics file complaints with the Illinois attorney general accusing Herbalife of defrauding them.
The company demanded she retract a statement she made July 15 on television that “there is fear in the community that those who speak out will be reported to immigration.”
Across town from the protest, Herbalife distributors held a press conference attacking Bill Ackman, who has placed a $1 billion short bet that the company is a fraud. Herbalife also put out a statement defending its nutrition clubs after Ackman promised to expose them as perpetuating the alleged scheme.
“Members like me are under attack by a billionaire hedge fund manager who has embarked on an unprecedented effort to take down my way of life,” Silvia Muir said.