LINCOLN -- District Court Judge Jodi Nelson has ordered Kenneth Jason McCants to pay $87,000 in restitution to the victims of the Nebraska Game Day Experience. Additionally, McCants is required to pay $252,000 in civil penalties and other fees. Judge Nelson had previously found McCants liable for the Nebraska Game Day Experience and issued an injunction preventing him from running similar ticketing frauds.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed the suit, alleging that McCants defrauded consumers by promising them the opportunity to watch a Husker football game with former Husker players from a Memorial Stadium suite. The Nebraska Game Day Experience also promised various perks, with all proceeds purportedly benefiting named charities. Instead, consumers received general admission tickets or nothing at all.
“Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans. This fraud preyed on Nebraskans’ love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court’s order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters,” said Attorney General Mike Hilgers. “If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud.”
While efforts will be made to recover the awarded relief, there is no guarantee it will be recovered due to allegations that McCants already spent consumer funds.
This case inspired Attorney General Hilgers to craft LB934, which was introduced and enacted during the most recent legislative session. LB934 allows the Attorney General to freeze ill-gotten funds to prevent them from being spent or otherwise depleted, increasing the likelihood that consumer funds can be recovered. “I am grateful to have better tools that can help prevent scammers in the future from spending money before we can recover consumer funds. I again thank Senator Bosn for her leadership and the other members of the legislature who supported LB934’s passage so that we are better equipped to return money to those who might be harmed by fraud,” said Attorney General Mike Hilgers.