AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced June 22 that Joseph Brandon Shirley and Randy Lee Gardner, operators of travel service businesses in the state, will pay $74,995 in consumer restitution, civil penalties and attorney fees after allegations of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other state statutes.
The three businesses named in the lawsuit are Exciting Travel Destinations LLC, Alamo Guest Services and Vacation Inspirations LLC.
These entities operated from offices in San Antonio. According to Paxton’s office, the companies offered travel promotions to consumers that actually were not available. The defendants would allegedly conduct this scheme to coerce consumers into purchasing memberships.
Paxton’s office also says the companies misrepresented the savings promised to consumers for services, and refused requests to cancel memberships, among several other complaints.