Attorney Generals News Release

August 10, 1995

Nixon sues for restitution for money order customers

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has filed suit against 13 Missouri liquor and convenience stores that are withholding funds for money orders which bounced. The businesses, located primarily in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas, sold money orders last winter which were returned for insufficient funds when Advantage Money Order Co., an Arkansas-based corporation, did not have adequate funds to cover the money orders.

“These businesses have failed to cooperate or even respond to our requests, leaving customers holding the bag,” Nixon said. “Missourians bought these money orders in good faith with cash, believing they were just as good as currency.”

Nixon is suing for more than $70,000 in funds owed to Advantage so that customers who bought the money orders can receive restitution. The suits, filed in the circuit courts of Jackson, McDonald and St. Louis counties and St. Louis City, ask for the money owed to Advantage, plus interest since March 1.

The Advantage agents being sued are:

• Quang Trung Market, Kansas City
• Salama Market, St. Louis
• Crown Liquors, Kansas City
• Carrie's Corner Market, St. Louis
• Deluxe Party Shop, Kansas City
• Newhouse & Blair Market, St. Louis
• St. John's Market, Kansas City
• Eigna Inc., St. Louis
• J.C. Shortstop, Kansas City
• Malek Food Market, St. Louis
• Riley's Liquors, Kansas City
• Speedway Market, St. Louis
• Buddy's Tire and Liquor, Southwest City

The Division of Finance has been actively seeking claims from consumers who had Advantage money orders that bounced. By law, those claims must be filed by Aug. 15, 1995 to be considered for restitution. Information and claim forms are available from any of the approximately 150 retail outlets that sold Advantage money orders or from the Missouri Division of Finance, P.O. Box 716, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or telephone 1-800-722-3321.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818