CHICAGO — Illinois has filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging an event promoter requested upfront money from sponsors for fake concerts, parties and other events and defrauding people out of nearly $40,000.
According to the Illinois Attorney General's Office, Lee Martin, a Richton Park, Illinois., businessman, requested large down payments and promised he would produce the events. Once the event date neared, Martin became unresponsive, causing the event to be canceled without any refunds being given to consumers, the Attorney General's Office said. The lawsuit also alleges Martin lied about his qualifications.
“Mr. Martin stole money from people from around the country by falsely promising to produce significant events like birthday parties, a book event or a fashion show,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a statement. “This defendant must be held accountable for his scam.”
Madigan's office says Martin defrauded at least 12 consumers with the alleged fake event promotion.