78.4 F
The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Attorney General goes after travel agency that ripped off many Villagers

Pam Bondi in The Villages in 2014.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed legal action against a closed Florida travel agency that still owes consumers nationwide more than $3 million.

The defendants, Legendary Journeys, Inc., president and owner Adrian L. Ferguson, Jr., a/k/a Al Ferguson, and vice president Charles T. Scott, a/k/a Chuck Scott, operated a Sarasota-based travel agency with 11 branches across the state. The company abruptly closed in October 2017 after collecting millions from travelers and failing to deliver trips or issue refunds.

Many Villagers lost money to Legendary Journeys. All four Seniors vs. Crime offices in The Villages had cases. Seniors vs. Crime hosted a meeting between Attorney General officials and victims at their office in The Villages.

Villages-News.com first reported about Legendary Journeys this past October and talked to a couple who lost $8,000 after booking with the company.

According to the complaint filed Tuesday, the defendants misappropriated company assets for personal benefit before closing, then filed an assignment for the benefit of creditors — a legal proceeding similar to bankruptcy. The complaint alleges Ferguson and Scott took money paid by consumers for vacation packages and used it to pay personal expenses and make extra payroll distributions. The two company officers even ran up a $44,000 one-day bill at Saks Fifth Avenue just prior to announcing the closure. In the months and weeks leading up to and even after the closure, Legendary continued to accept thousands of dollars from consumers for future trips, including a “once in a lifetime trip” for one couple and a 50th wedding anniversary trip for another — leaving many consumers with ruined vacations and financial losses.

Consumers nationwide made more than 800 claims against Legendary, totaling more than $3 million. The defendants promised to refund consumers, but assets are estimated at this time to be insufficient to pay creditors in full.

The Attorney General’s Office is seeking permanent injunctive relief, full restitution and the imposition of civil penalties and fees. According to the complaint, the defendants solicited and accepted funds from consumers for the purchase of travel, failed to deliver the promised trips, and in numerous instances failed to issue refunds. In addition, defendants advertised travel packages they did not provide and misrepresented that consumers paid in full for trips when defendants had not tendered payment to travel providers.

Consumers who paid money for travel from the above-named entities or individuals can file a complaint by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM.

The world knew we had a strong leader in Trump

A Village of Fernandina resident looks back on the record of former President Trump. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Neglect of golf course maintenance now costing us millions of dollars

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of St. Charles resident argues that neglect of golf course maintenance is now costing residents millions of dollars.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.