SARASTOA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Florida Attorney General’s Office filed a civil lawsuit last week against Legendary Journeys, a travel agency that has been the subject of numerous Better Call Behnken reports.
Now, some customers left on the hook for vacations they paid the company for want to know why there have been no criminal charges.
“That’s embezzlement,” said customer Micheal Albano. “You’re using somebody’s funds for something else.”
The AG alleges company leaders owe customers across the nation more than $3 million.
According to the complaint filed last Tuesday, owner Al Ferguson and vice president Chuck Scott misappropriated company assets for personal benefit before closing, then filed an assignment for the benefit of creditors.
That is a legal proceeding similar to bankruptcy.
The AG 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 lawsuit claims the two company officers even ran up a $44,000 one-day bill at Saks Fifth Avenue, shortly before announcing closure.
Albano helped organize a cruise for 43 retirees through Legendary Journeys. He says none of the travelers in his group have received any money back.
A representative with the AG’s office says their Consumer Protection Division is a civil enforcement authority, not criminal.
However, the spokeswoman said some consumers filed criminal complaints to law enforcement agencies around the state. She would not comment as to whether there is an ongoing criminal investigation.
Consumers nationwide made more than 800 claims against Legendary, totaling more than $3 million.