Instant Checkmate, Truthfinders Compel Arbitration in Class Suit

The Control Group Media Co., the holding company for Instant Checkmate LLC and Truthfinders, won its motion to compel arbitration in a proposed class action alleging that the “people search” services failed to remove expunged and sealed criminal records from their background reports, according to a ruling by the Southern District of California.

Easy Expunctions, a non-party to the suit, subscribed to the websites on the plaintiffs’ behalf. In so doing, it agreed to mandatory arbitration, and the obligations under that agreement extended to the plaintiffs, Judge Dana M. Sabraw concluded in Monday’s order.

The plaintiffs are six Texas residents ...