AKRON, Ohio -- InfoCision, the Akron-based telemarketing company, has agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty over allegations that its employees misled people it called for charitable donations.

A Federal Trade Commission investigation said the company's telemarketers, which have made millions of calls on behalf of charities, called consumers and told them at the outset that the call was not to ask for a donation. They would then ask the consumers to mail or give materials to family and friends asking for donations on behalf of a charity.

Then, even though the telemarketers said the purpose of the call was to not for a donation, the telemarketers would often ask for a donation, often for $10, $25, or $50, the FTC says.

The proposed settlement was filed Wednesday in federal court in Akron. A judge in Akron must approve it before it is final.

In addition to the $250,000 penalty, the proposed settlement also includes a permanent injunction that bars InfoCision telemarketers from violating an FTC rule that says they must promptly inform callers of the charity they're calling for and whether the purpose of the call is for a donation.

The settlement would also bar InfoCision from making any false or misleading statements to try to obtain a donation and to disclose the nature of the call. It would require the company to take certain record-keeping measures and would allow for the FTC to ensure InfoCision is complying with its rules.

InfoCision does not admit to any of the allegations in the lawsuit.

Steve Brubaker, chief of staff for InfoCision, said the FTC's investigation began in 2015 for calls that went back to 2013.

"We feel strongly the investigation had no merit whatsoever," Brubaker's statement says. "The agency never produced a single consumer complaint, or even suggested that consumers actually had been confused.

"Regardless, to avoid the cost and distraction of a lengthy public court dispute, we agreed to the government's settlement demand," the statement continues. "InfoCision values the prestigious national clients we have been fortunate to partner with since 1982 and we are proud of our dedicated employees."

This is not the first time InfoCision has been on the radar of regulators. It agreed in 2012 to pay $75,000 and change its calling practices after Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said the company failed to make the required disclosures to consumers when it called on behalf of nonprofits.

The company currently has the naming rights to the stadium that serves as the home to the University of Akron Zips football team.