Attorney General's News Release

March 30, 1999

Nixon seeks injunction to stop Willow Springs man from sending out phony invoices for school sports schedules

Springfield, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon on Mo.nday asked for an injunction against a Willow Springs man who Nixon said tried to bill several Missouri businesses for advertising they had not purchased, on sports schedules that were not authorized by the high schools featured.

Nixon said Curtis E. Venn, who does business both as National Front Page and Missouri Athletic Booster Associates, sent invoices to businesses in Republic, Nevada and Union, aMo.ng other Missouri towns, for advertising on sports schedules featuring local teams.

The lawsuit filed in Greene County Circuit Court states that Venn has violated Missouri consumer protection laws by creating the false impression that the high schools had given him authority to use the school names, by printing up schedules with advertising from businesses that had not purchased advertising, and by billing for advertising that businesses had not ordered or solicited.

Nixon is asking the court to order Venn to cease those violations and to prohibit him from selling advertising in or from the state of Missouri. The court is scheduled to consider the injunction request on Tuesday, April 6.

"In many cases, businesses that send invoices for or solicit ads for sports schedule posters exploit the good will that boosters have for their local high schools," Nixon said. "Unfortunately, the schools receive no real benefit from the posters. If you want to support your local high school, contact the athletic director or the booster club at the school to find out the best way to do this."

If business owners have received solicitations or invoices of this nature, they are asked to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.

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