Judge Orders Baldwin County Businesses to Cease Operations
AKME Gardens, related businesses prohibited from conducting any business in Alabama
A Baldwin County business accused of defrauding customers nationwide has been ordered to cease operations in Alabama following a court ruling.
On May 30, 2025, Baldwin County Circuit Judge J. Clark Stankoski issued a preliminary injunction against AKME Group, LLC and AKME, LLC—collectively known as AKME Gardens—as well as Owners Adam Karsten Morck and Kristina Nis Dias. The order prohibits the defendants from conducting any business within the State, including through a newly established entity, Ride Doctors LLC, launched by Morck in August 2024.
The injunction follows a complaint filed in March by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, alleging that AKME Gardens falsely claimed certification to sell nursery plants and seeds, in violation of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The company is also accused of accepting payments without delivering products, with consumer complaints dating back to 2021.
"Falsely claiming to be an Alabama-certified nursery and accepting money for products that were never delivered isn't just unethical — it's illegal," said Attorney General Marshall. "Let this serve as a warning to any business looking to make a quick profit at the expense of hardworking Alabamians: if you steal from consumers, we will find you and hold you accountable."
AKME Gardens has not held certification from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to sell nursery stock since September 30, 2022, and has not been certified to sell seeds for at least the past three years. The Attorney General's office has identified 24 violations related to false certification claims and 13 violations for accepting payments without delivering products.
The court's order also mandates the shutdown of AKME Gardens' website and social media channels. At press time, both website and Facebook page were inactive.
Consumers who believe they have been affected by AKME Gardens' practices are encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-5658 or visit www.alabamaag.gov.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries assisted in the investigation.
