JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a lawsuit Tuesday against a travel and entertainment promoter who allegedly made misrepresentations about an event she claimed to be organizing in Branson.
Koster's lawsuit alleged Donna Walker started advertising an event called the Red Hat Extravaganza in April 2012, which would purportedly be held in October 2012 in Branson. Walker billed the event as a gathering of a social organization called the Red Hat Society.
Walker charged $499 for participants, a fee which paid for a lodging and entertainment package. Walker allegedly told consumers that tickets to several shows in the Branson area were included, such as a George Jones concert.
In September, Walker cancelled the extravaganza and told customers who bought packages that they would receive refunds when Walker received the deposits she made for show tickets. Koster's lawsuit alleges Walker never paid any deposits for tickets to the shows billed as part of the package. Walker also allegedly failed to fully repay the 40 consumers who bought tickets to the Red Hat Extravaganza.
"We will pursue businesses that take advantage of Missourians and fail to provide promised services," Koster said. "My office will continue to seek restitution for consumers who have not received full refunds."
Koster's lawsuit alleges that Walker misrepresented to consumers that she bought tickets to multiple Branson shows and made false promises to consumers that they would get their money back, a violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The lawsuit seeks a civil penalty, full refunds of consumer payments and permanently barring Walker from selling or offering entertainment and travel services in Missouri.
Missouri AG files lawsuit against Branson-area promoter
