La. AG reminds Powerhouse Gym consumers to file claim

BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell reminded consumers Wednesday to file a claim with his Consumer Protection Division by May 31 if they were adversely affected by the Baton Rouge-based Powerhouse Gym.

Powerhouse Gym and its owners Ronnie and Connie Olah planned to open the gym's doors to the public in January 2012. The Olahs began pre-signing and charging consumers for memberships in 2011, but the owners repeatedly delayed the grand opening date. The Olahs failed to complete construction on Powerhouse Gym by January and were evicted from the property.

In February, Caldwell's office filed a petition for injunctive relief and restitution against the Olahs, alleging they violated the Louisiana Physical Fitness Services Act and the Unfair Trade Practices Act. The petition was granted and the Olahs were prohibited from taking actions that would negatively impact affected consumers, debiting money from affected consumers and advertising or contracting new business in Louisiana without approval.

19th Judicial District Court Judge Tim Kelley issued a judgment enabling Caldwell's office to create a registry of adversely affected consumers and their losses. Consumers who were negatively impacted by the Olahs and Powerhouse Gym have until May 31 to file a claim with Caldwell's office and must present documentation of their financial losses.