Attorney General's News Release

January 25, 2008

Consumers to receive $49,949 restitution after being misled by Springfield travel agency in order obtained by Nixon

Springfield, Mo. — A Springfield travel business that used misrepresentations in the selling of vacation packages to Branson will pay $49,949 in consumer restitution and is permanently barred from most aspects of the travel business under a consent injunction and final judgment obtained by Attorney General Jay Nixon. The court order against Branson Star II LLC was filed today in Greene County Circuit Court.

Nixon originally sued Branson Star II when his office received approximately 160 consumer complaints about problems they experienced in the vacation packages they purchased. Allegations included that the company sold vacation packages to consumers but then failed to provide them with the packages; falsely told consumers they would be given refunds and misrepresented to those consumers what they had to do in order to obtain the refunds; billed consumers for services the consumers did not purchase; and misrepresented that the business was licensed and bonded with the Attorney General’s Office.

“It’s unfortunate that there are some unscrupulous businesses that try to exploit Branson’s reputation as a premiere vacation destination by not providing consumers the services they have already paid for,” Nixon said.

Under today’s court order, Branson Star II must pay $49,949 in consumer restitution. The company could also be required to pay up to $5,000 in civil penalties per violation if it violates the judgment. The order also stipulates that all individuals associated with Branson Star II are permanently barred from conducting any business or having ownership in any company that involves timeshares, vacation or travel packages, discount buying services or buyers’ club memberships.

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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.

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