Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the owners of a company that tricked businesses into buying posters have paid $50,000 to settle fraud and false advertising claims.

Stenehjem says the Lansing, Mich., company called the Mandatory Poster Agency used direct-mail solicitations to dupe business owners into thinking they were required to buy posters about wage and hour requirements and unemployment benefits.

Stenehjem says businesses that purchased posters may return them to the company and receive a full refund, including postage costs.

Stenehjem says there have been 24 settlements against the company in other states since 2001. He says North Dakota's $50,000 settlement is the largest.

- Associated Press