Thousand Adventures Update (TAI News)
Daniel Hopper
Please print and distribute this to as many TAI members as you can.
You can help if you will send me any newer news that you can document.
(no more rumors please.)
..................................
Last Minute News
— from the TAI Members Committee —
BANKRUPTCY FILED IN NEBRASKA
Mr. David Thor Vopnford and his wife Barbara have filed Chapter 11
Bankruptcy in Federal Bankruptcy Court, District of Nebraska, P.O. Box
428 DTS, Omaha, NE 68101-0428; Case number 97-811-21.
They did not list us members as creditors — again. We cannot be certain
that the US Trustee in the case will direct that we be accepted as
unsecured creditors as the one in Florida did. We need an attorney now,
but we don’t have the money to hire one. Now is the time for us to file
the class action motions for fraud, etc. We don’t have much time to
make it happen.
This bankruptcy is clearly an effort by the Vopnfords to shelter assets
from the courts and from legitimate creditors. That is the purpose of a
bankruptcy. If we do it right, we can go after those sheltered assets.
Many people were hurt by this family, others were devastated. The
policies of this family have taken the life savings of some members of
TAI and effectively put them out in the streets.
The first meeting of creditors is 30 May at 10:00 am. It will be held
at 210 South 16th Street, Omaha, NE, Suite 530. God (and my wife)
willing, I plan to be there. We will try to have a meeting with members
who show up for the hearing to discuss issues and strategy.
Important Proposal
THIS IS A SPECIAL CALL FOR SUPPORT
Some of you have helped meet operating expenses in day-to-day efforts,
this however, is a special call for a special situation. We need $25 or
more from each of you to hire the attorney. The money will go into a
special account and used only for an attorney to help ALL members.
Mark the check “For the attorney fund only.”
We will keep a record of who sends money to this fund and how much is
sent so that we can refund any unused money. If it is not used, it will
be returned to you minus the cost of writing the checks and mailing them
back.
Our financial records are kept on a computer. We can print a financial
report whenever you tell us you want it or when this is over, whichever
comes first.
Send the money to: Mr. Carl Roland, Treasurer, TAI Members Committee,
Suite 1186, 779 Ease Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL
32952-3516
This is IT!
We have used the money that you sent to us to pay necessary expenses in
printing/mailing the newsletters, getting information to put in the
newsletters, running the Hotline, sending out proof-of-claim forms,
etc. Most of the other expenses we have had to start paying ourselves.
It looks like the dam is breaking with the Nebraska bankruptcy. Now
seems to be the time for us to consider acting in court as a cohesive
group. We should get serious about hiring an attorney to help us
protect our interest.
WE’RE WORKING HARD. HOW CAN YOU HELP?
=- Send stamped, self-addressed envelopes to:
Mr. Carl Rolland, Treasurer
TAI Members Committee
Suite 1186, 779 East Merritt Island Causeway
Merritt Island, FL 32952-3516
=- Call and send Written complaints to the Attorney General of your
state and/or Florida.
=- Send in a Proof-of-Claim (Carl can send you one if you give him a
SASE.)
=- Send $25 or more to Carl for the Attorney Fund (Mark the check
“Attorney Fund.”).
=- Send whatever you can spare to Carl for the operating expenses of the
Committee.
Help make a difference. What you do — makes all the difference.
Editorial
It is no crime to make bad business decisions. Who hasn’t had a problem
at some time in their life that was beyond their control? I am not
upset (though I am disappointed) that the TAI camping system is in
financial failure and the parks will no longer be available for our
use. I enjoyed the people I met at the parks. I treasure those
friendships. The parks, however, were always in a state of disrepair.
The business model that was described to us in the sales presentations
is a viable model. It could work if some the money was reinvested in
the maintenance and improvement of the parks and the bills were paid
with the remainder. There would even be some money left over for a
return on investment.
So what happened to TAI?
Too much of the membership fees were converted to ‘profit’, either
directly or indirectly through hypothecation. Too many ‘Lifetime
Memberships’ were sold with no annual dues required in order to bait
prospective members into signing on the bottom line. Too many parks
were refinanced at unfavorable interest rates because of the poor credit
rating of the TAI corporation and its owners.
Park Managers were usually instructed to send cash generated at the
parks to TAI in Blair, NE, usually without a receipt. Why no receipt
for the cash?
All of these activities generated tremendous amounts of cash.
We believed the sales presentations. “The parks are paid for; The money
is invested; Your membership will be reimbursed at 85% if you are not
satisfied; You can buy a 6, 10 or 99 year Lease; Pay extra for your
membership and you’ll never have to pay dues; etc.” All of these proved
to be false. Other than that, we are not stupid.
The obvious grab for cash does not appear to be on the up-and-up. The
corporate speech about a failed effort to purchase a bunch of parks
causing all of the financial problems does not have the ring of truth.
Members asked for the truth and haven’t yet heard convincing evidence of
what the truth is. If the money is gone — where did it go?
Various attorneys, court officers, and state Attorneys General have
tried to find out where the money has gone. TAI officials have
consistently stonewalled all efforts to uncover the financial dealings
of the corporation. It seems clear that at least some of the money has
been used to fund other corporations.
Justice can be vindictive. Only the truth can bring peace. --- Dan
Hopper
Members Committee Report
— 9 May 1997 —
(TAI Members Committee)
Volume 4
Meeting - Florida Attorney General’s Investigator
28 Apr 97—The meeting with the Florida Attorney General Investigator in
the Division of Economic Crimes, Mr. Schukman, did not produce the hard
answers we had hoped for regarding the various schemes and dirty deeds
perpetrated on members by TAI et al. We were able to present our
concerns to someone who appeared to be in a position to either do some
investigating or to pass this on to someone else. He seemed sympathetic
to our pleas, but did not make the expected commitments. He promised to
check with the FBI and the IRS in Florida, and Attorneys General in
other states. There is a chance that his office might get an order
against TAI forbidding them and possibly their agents, from harassing
Florida consumers with debt collections. We will report his findings to
you in another newsletter.
Creditors Meeting in Orlando - 28 Apr 97
A meeting of TAI corporate officers and Florida creditors was scheduled
for 28 April 97 at the Federal Bankruptcy Offices in Orlando. Neither
the TAI representatives nor any of the other creditors bothered to show
up. The meeting was called to attention by Mr. Schuker, attorney for
the Trustee, Mr. Cuthill; the absences were noted; and then the meeting
was “continued”. If the creditors hearing is rescheduled, we will be
notified.
Informal Meeting with the Trustee
An informational meeting was then conducted by Mr. Schuker and Mr.
Cuthill after the scheduled creditors meeting.
The Trustee has offers on 4 parks left in Florida that merit
consideration. Only one offer for the Big O at $1.5 mil. It may be
sold by the middle of May. It appears that the Big O and Peace River
will remain as campgrounds after sale. Seagrove and Otter Springs will
be bought by developers and probably be turned into condos because the
land is too valuable to remain campgrounds.
It will be up to new buyers to accept members/leases. If any leases
were ever recorded by TAI or the buyer, these leases would be treated as
true leases. Doubtful if TAI has ever done this. (If you folks haven’t
been working with your attorney on this issue, I will come to your park
and give you the dickens.)
Value of parks: Peace River $1.5 mil, Big O $1.5 mil, Otter Springs $1.2
mil, Seagrove $400K.
Mortgage holders and secure creditors debt is in the $4 million range.
IRS $3.2 million, Florida State $1 million (these two he plans to
negotiate. Remainder are utilities, etc.) Could take as much as 6 to 9
months to sort out.
Attorneys/Trustee have not been paid yet. No one seems to be getting
rich over this case. Folks at Big O will probably get their unused
$3700 electricity payment eventually.
Condemnation suit with DOT for Peace River worth between $900K to $1.1
million to the Florida bankruptcy estate. Two banks accounts discovered
by the Trustee. One had $20K and the other had somewhere in the
vicinity of $354K. Some of the money in the second account apparently
belonged to TAF but was in the name of TAI. The Trustee will not pursue
this second account.
A representative of the Trustee looked at the books in Nebraska. The
Trustee and his attorney are aggressively looking for assets to turn
over to the TAF estate.
Heller Financial not only has mortgages on parks, they are the company
to which TAI hypothecated memberships to the tune of about $5 mil.
Mr. Schuker indicated that anyone having trouble with Travelers Data,
etc., hounding them, they should consult an attorney and get a letter
citing “Consumer Protection Law” and the “Fair Debt Collection Act.”
The member should not be held responsible for paying for an asset that
is no longer available. He strongly advises going to an attorney.
A Special Thank You
To Norma Hopper, Jackie and Gil Bryant, Ruby and George Eisenring, Ray
and Elaine Fassbender, and Barb and Gil Mozingo, Carl and Elaine
Roland, and others whose special talents, wisdom and energy have made it
possible to continue this effort on your behalf. - Dan Hopper,
Chairman
............... ............... ...............
This document is published by the TAI Members Committee. It is provided
for information and educational purposes. We will continue to present
documented information and to identify opinions as such. If you have
information you believe will be useful to other members please send it
to Mr Roland at the address where you sent your envelopes:
Carl Roland, TAI Members Committee
Suite 1186, 779 East Merritt Island Causeway
Merritt Island, Florida 32952-3516
............... ............... ...............
Help US — Help YOU
You and I have worked too long and too hard to give up. Now you can
help!
We have run out of money. We don’t have enough money for postage or
phone calls. We will continue to help as much as we can. Our
priorities are to get the story to people who have the authority to make
a difference (Attorneys General of the various states where TAI
operates, Federal and State Consumer Protection officials, the IRS, the
FBI, etc.) and to everyone who sends in the SASEs. Many of you are
faithfully chipping in what you can afford to help cover expenses. So
are the members of the Committee. We have no other income source. We
will not charge a fee for what we are doing; we will just keep on doing
it until we run out of money. We hope our efforts meet with your
approval and that they are helping.
It is important that you call the following telephone numbers to report
high-pressure, misleading, probably illegal sales practices, and
outright misrepresentation by representatives of Thousand Adventures.
Florida Attorney General:
>From out-of-state: - (904) 488-2221
>From within Florida - (800) 435-7352
The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Response Center in Washington
DC:
(202) 326-3128 or (202) 326-3761
This is a clearinghouse for consumer complaints and if enough consumers
call to complain about TAI it may force them to open a case to
investigate and prosecute illegal activity.
Additional complaints are about the aggressive efforts of collection
agencies to obtain money for the use of campgrounds that are no longer
available.
Call now if you haven’t already.
These complaints have little to do with the bankruptcy of Thousand
Adventures of Florida or any other state. They result directly from
policy decisions made by corporate officers of Thousand Adventures, Inc.
of Nebraska. It is clear that subordinate organizations in various
states have never had autonomy to decide their own economic fates.
IMPORTANT:
Many of you have already sent us your complaints and we carried them
verbally and in writing to the Attorney General of Florida and soon to
Attorneys General of other states. They don’t seem to understand the
scope of the problem because they don’t get enough written complaints.
YOU NEED TO SEND A LETTER NOW TO:
The Office of the Attorney General of (Your State), State Capitol, Your
State;
and another to:
The Attorney General of Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Be brief, state facts, tell what you want. a) you want the Attorney
General to stop representatives of TAI from trying to collect money from
you or to threaten to ruin your credit rating etc. for a service that is
not available (e.g. camping rights at campgrounds that you were promised
in the sales presentations), b) you want a criminal investigation for
selling you a lease at a campground that they didn’t own (if this
applies to you.) c) misrepresenting the terms or conditions relating to
the resale of your membership or the terms under which you would be paid
for the membership they promised to resell for you; d) any other act
that you think they committed that seems illegal or unethical.
We will get the best results if you DO IT NOW ! — Dan
PLEASE COPY AND USE DISTRIBUTE THIS NEWSLETTER
A National Organization
for US ?
Some members of the Committee have become convinced that problem
companies like Thousand Adventures are so pervasive in the industry, the
cycle of getting the money, filing bankruptcy, then abandoning the
members, that it seems more like a business model than bad business
judgement or unfortunate circumstances. These Committee members are
considering that it may be appropriate to start a national organization
or join an existing organization to identify the scope of the problem
and seek expedient and constructive means to bring about a remedy. This
organization should undertake this and several other issues for the
specific benefit of members of resort campgrounds, condominiums and
time-shares. Corporations in this industry have ample representation,
the members have none.
New eMail Address for the Committee: tiame...@aol.com
Hotline Phone: (407) 254-4815
Proof of Claim
Remember, if you need a proof of claim form, send a stamped
self-addressed envelope to:
Mr. Carl Roland
Suite 1186, East Merrit Island CSWY
Merrit Island, FL 32952
TAI Members’ Committee
4740 Silver Oak Street
Dayton, OH 45424-4650
or
1927 Barkley Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32935
eMail: Taime...@aol.com
May 9, 1997
[Send this information to your Attorney General with your complaint.]
This is a plea for help for the citizens of your state.
Persons in your state are losing thousands of dollars each to a company
called Thousand Adventures, Inc. (TAI). TAI once managed or owned 57
resorts in 23 states. We have information about actions against TAI by
Attorneys General, etc. in some of the states where they do business.
We are accumulating information from the remaining states. It seems
clear that unethical practices of this company, that we have learned
about, are consistently applied across many state lines according to
policies and decisions formulated by the parent corporation, TAI.
We respectfully request that you take swift and appropriately stern
action to protect the citizens of your state from this company. We are
also concerned that assets may have been or are being diverted from TAI
and its subordinate organizations to fund the establishment of similarly
unethical enterprises and to benefit the owners of the company.
We are not qualified, nor do we have the resources to determine if the
policies and decisions promulgated by the corporate officers
sufficiently warrant the removal of the “Corporate Veil” that would
otherwise protect them from moral, economic and criminal
responsibility. May we request your opinion and your support in these
matters? How can you help?
The Members’ Committee, of which I am the Chairperson, has been
requested by petition of over 400 TAI members from across the United
States to initiate whatever actions we can in their interest. That is
why we are sending you this letter. We have no income source except
donations from people who can’t afford to follow through on their own.
I think that is why TAI, Inc. thinks they can get by with their
actions. They have told some members “If you don’t like it, get an
attorney.” (Steve Alleman, VP of Thousand Adventures of Nebraska to a
member in December 1996. He surely knew that the old person he was
talking to couldn’t afford to hire a personal attorney.) Companies like
this should not be allowed to bully people who cannot afford to defend
themselves. We need your help to be effective.
2 Atchs:
Complaint Form
Summary of AG and other Actions/TAI Problems
Thank you,
Dan Hopper, Chairman
Alabama
All parks reported sold or repossessed by mortgage holders. Many
outstanding complaints by members of TAI. Not sure about Alabama
Attorney General involvement.
Arkansas — Information not available yet.
Arizona
Only one park. It was lost in 1996 because TAI owed about $500K and
reportedly never paid anyone anything. We are trying to get the
documentation from Arizona to verify this information.
Florida
All TAI parks in Florida are closed, foreclosed, or sold to other
companies. They are not available for use by TAI members. Members are
complaining about high-pressure sales practices, misrepresentation, sale
of leases for properties that TAI didn’t even own, bad checks to
employees (still outstanding) and creditors, past due pay checks for
employees. Appropriate actions/remedies are being considered by the
Florida Attorney General’s office, the Consumer Protection Office, the
IRS, the FBI and Florida Tax Authorities. Florida members want an
answer to the question: Can personal or corporate bankruptcy protect
corporate officials from what appears to be criminal acts dating as far
back as 1992?
Georgia
The Georgia parks are either in foreclosure or have been foreclosed. We
are trying to get documentation from the state Attorney General’s office
about complaints against TAI and actions that may have been taken on
behalf of TAI members in or by that state.
Illinois (Members report.)
Utilities not paid, employees not paid, phone disconnected.
Indiana — Information not available yet.
Iowa - Des Moines -
Associated Press - 24 May 1996
Judge Glenn Pille granted a temporary restraining order preventing TAI
of Iowa from advertising or accepting memberships because “TAI made many
false and deceptive statements about the benefits of membership and
about consumers ability to obtain refunds or to sell their memberships.”
The suit was filed by Atty. General Tom Miller. TAI was later able to
continue to operate under the order but directed to put all money
derived from sales into an escrow account.
Additional Information: The Iowa Attorney General’s office received 259
consumer complaints against Thousand Adventures in 1996. The
investigator for the Iowa Department of Justice, Consumer Protection
Division, is Ms. Sandy Kearney, (515) 281-5926. Most of the complaints,
and the case against Thousand Adventures are still pending.
Kansas. [Case #96cv4s - Jan 96]
Deceptive sales acts (misrepresentation) in violation of Kansas law
including falsely stating that the Attorney General approved of their
sales presentations, marketing techniques or contracts; telling
customers annual dues included maintenance of the parks - which is not
true; misrepresenting availability of ‘resorts’ with or without a
reservation; telling customers that they will receive the full amount of
their money within a few days of requesting the resale when in fact
resale usually takes many years; misrepresenting that resale is not a
problem when it is; pressuring members into upgrades as the ‘Only way
out’; and several other specific complaints including “unconscionable
acts and practices in violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act”
and misrepresenting the value and availability of prizes for attending
sales presentations.
They have been restrained from collecting or attempting to collect on
installment sales contracts purchased on or after 1 Sep 96 or on others
that have filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s office;
reporting or causing to be reported any negative credit information for
members... who are in default on installment sales contracts or
maintenance dues; soliciting or selling any memberships or other goods
and services in the state of Kansas or otherwise entering consumer
transactions from the state of Kansas or in the state of Kansas, etc.
Kentucky
Both parks in Kentucky have been returned to the previous owners. We
are trying to get information from state officers concerning actions on
behalf of or by TAI members in this state.
Louisiana (per Steve Alleman, VP of TAI)
Park lost. No longer a TAI Park.
Maryland
Park repossessed. Many outstanding complaints by TAI members. Not sure
about MAG involvement.
Michigan
Two parks have been foreclosed and are reported to be auctioned this
month.
Minnesota — Information not available yet.
Mississippi (per Steve Alleman, VP of TAI)
Four parks, all doing fine, an island of contentment in a sea of
trouble!
Missouri
Thousand Adventures and other subordinate organizations have been sued
on several counts including Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Tortious
Interference With a Contract, and other counts, all in relation to
Castle View.
We are trying to get additional information about this case and others
in Missouri. We are trying to get information from the Attorney
General’s office relating to their actions to protect the citizens of
this state from TAI. We are low on money. Can you help us get the
information we need so we can publish it?
Nebraska -
Omaha World Herald 19 Feb 97—TAI’s ability to sell campground
memberships were suspended in December 1996 because they failed to
inform state officials that certain of its campgrounds were no longer
available to its members and they were charging members a camping fee in
violation of their contracts. The article states that the owners of TAI
are known in Nebraska as major contributors to Republican Candidates.
Members of TAI complained that the Nebraska Attorney General failed to
take enough action against the company noting that TAI is reported to
have given $8,750 campaign contribution and a $1000 personal donation to
him.
New York - Associated Press, Buffalo, NY November 1995 and early 1996
New York State Atty. General filed suit against TAI and Indian Falls
Campground, because TAI continued to operate it after it had been
condemned. TAI had been threatening members with collection proceedings
and negative credit reports if they withheld their annual fees. He also
said that TAI “misled consumers with deceptive and illegal sales
practices.”
The Atty. General obtained a court order that prohibited the sale of
memberships, and barred TAI or collection agencies from reporting
members who do not make payments. Supreme Court Justice Frank Sedita
ruled on the lawsuit filed by the Atty. General, that TAI had to refund
money to thousands of families that bought memberships. He also barred
TAI from doing business in NY. He said that he was sending info to other
states Atty. Gens. where TAI does business, and that had similar
complaints. A member was quoted as saying, “it is not just the money,
TAI is a total scam, and we want it stopped. “ TAI was ordered to
refund $7 million in membership fees.
North Carolina [96csv01604 - Feb 97]
High-pressure, false and misleading sales practices concerning sale and
resale of memberships, illegal and inappropriate collection practices,
violation of the Membership Camping Act. Judgment against TAI
(Nebraska) and TANC (TAI of NC] for $75,000 plus $10,000 fees and other
remedies. TAI was ordered to send letters to respective credit
reporting agencies to correct unfavorable reports about members and
provide the NC Atty. Gen.’s office copies of the letters.
Ohio -
TAI seems to be collecting all the money they can before abandoning the
parks and the members. They refuse to tell members their true state or
national financial picture. The VP of TAI, Mr. Steve Alleman, continues
to make the same false and deceptive statements that he made in his
speeches in Florida. Ohio members who have not shared the Florida
experience are still believing whatever he tells them. Ohio members
seem to be in the state of denial that Florida members initially
experienced. One of the members said “I don’t believe any of this
unless Steve Alleman tells me it is true.”
All TAI parks in Ohio are either lost to foreclosure or in default on
mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, etc. TAI continues to extract
extra fees from members in violation of written contracts and other
unconscionable acts that have already been found to be illegal in other
states.
The Consumer Protection Section, Office of the Attorney General of Ohio,
Mr. Robert M. Hart has advised the attorney for Thousand Adventures that
contracts which state “Members shall have the right to use free of
charge all existing and future resorts available through Thousand
Adventures, wherever located.” prohibits TAI from charging a fee for
overnight camping. Neither TAI nor their attorney have responded.
NOTE: Mr. Hart is not your attorney and cannot give you legal advice on
how to proceed. [How can we get legal authorities to enforce the law? —
Dan Hopper]
TAI and their attorneys have already been advised of this position by
authorities in other states. The attorney for TAI, Mr. O’Hanlon has
admitted to other attorneys that these extra fees are probably a
violation of the contracts. STILL, IN BLATANT AND WILLFUL DISREGARD FOR
THE CONTRACTS, THE MEMBERS AND THE ADVICE OF ATTORNEYS, TAI CONTINUES TO
DEMAND MONEY FROM MEMBERS THAT THEY CANNOT BORROW FROM LEGITIMATE
LENDING AGENCIES.
If someone tries to EXTORT nightly fees or any other fees from you, get
a receipt - get an attorney and (important) file a complaint with your
Attorney General.
The Ohio Attorney General has more than 250 complaints against Thousand
Adventures. We don’t know why the Ohio AG hasn’t taken aggressive
action against TAI as have Attorneys General of other states.
9 May 97 - Allstate Finance (and Heller Finance) foreclosed on the Alum
Cove Campground. This judgement allows Allstate to take possession of
the campground and to sell it to someone else. TAI did not appear as
required. A default judgement was awarded by the court in favor of
Allstate Finance. Allstate is negotiating with TAI hoping to find a way
for TAI to make good on their outstanding debt. Several members were in
attendance.
The original owner is seeking to reclaim Turtle Creek from TAI for what
is alleged to be fraudulent actions and misrepresentation relating to
the refinancing of the park.
Twin Lakes h-as been sold to and is being operated by a new owner (local
owner).
Pennsylvania, Tennessee — Information not available yet.
Mail this completed form and a copy of your contract and copies of bills
or threats to:
Florida Attorney General, Tallahasee, Florida — and to the Attorney
General of your state if other than Florida
Date ______________
Who is filing this complaint?
_____________________________________
(Last Name, First Name, Mi.)
_____________________________________
(Address)
_____________________________________
(City, County)
_____________________________________
(State, Zip)
Person or Business Complained About
Thousand Adventures, Inc.
PO Box 301
Blair, NE 68008 - (402) 426-9485
and
Travelers Data Services (A “Lock Box” company)
PO Box 1067, Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 355-2314
and
Sentinel Financial Services, Inc. (Collection Agency)
PO Box 41-9003, Miami, FL 33141
Product or Service Involved: Free use of about 54-57 campgrounds
including 11 campgrounds in Florida.
(While the campgrounds in Florida are not individually identified in
the contract, they were a major part of the sales presentation and the
basis upon which I decided to purchase. —____________(Initial here.)
Did you sign a contract? YES - When? ________________ - Cost
_______________
Which state did you sign the contract in? ________________
Attach COPIES of your contract and copies of bills or written/verbal
threats received after 23 November 1996.
DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS !
Complaint: My contract, though signed elsewhere, was assigned to
Thousand Adventures , Inc., of Blair, NE (TAI) immediately after I
signed it. Now they are sending bills and making telephone calls
threatening to ruin my credit if I don’t pay for the balance of my
contract assumed by them; even though they cannot or will not honor the
contract assigned to TAI due to TAI’s own willful and deliberate acts
toward their Florida branch.
1. I purchased the right to visit all TAI parks, including 11 parks in
Florida, for 3 weeks at a time with no additional charge. On 23
November 1996 park managers started telling members, at the direction of
TAI of Nebraska, that they would not be allowed to use the parks if they
didn’t start paying an additional nightly fee. This is a violation of
the terms of my contract that I believe should void it.
2. On 10 March 97 the parks in Florida closed and were no longer
available for my use as promised in the sales presentation. They were
closed because TAI, Inc. of Blair, NE, willfully and deliberately
refused to pay money it owed to keep the parks operating and refused to
provide information and documents required by the Trustee in the Florida
bankruptcy that he needed to make decisions necessary to try to save the
Florida park system.
I believe that justice and fairness require, as a minimum, that TAI and
any entity representing them either directly or indirectly, has
forfeited its right and should be prohibited from trying to collect
money from me. They are not able to provide the use of parks as
required by my contract and in the sales presentation since at least
half of the parks, including all of the parks in Florida are closed.
They should also be prohibited from demanding payment while you
investigate the problem.
I also believe, in all fairness, that TAI, Inc. of Blair, NE, should be
required to return all money for nightly fees that they extorted from me
in violation of my contract after 23 Nov 96 and also that I have paid
for the unused portion of my contract with them.
My contract, assigned to TAI, Inc., of Blair, NE, has no value without
free access to at least 11 parks in Florida. More than 50,000 members
such as myself competed each year for use of the Florida parks.
I authorize you to send a copy of my complaint to the business I am
complaining about or to any other government agency necessary for the
purpose of mediation, investigation or enforcement.
I am filing this complaint to notify your office of the activities of
this business and to seek any assistance you may be able to render.
_________________________________
(Signature)
[[Additional comments, if necessary, on a separate page-dated/signed.]]
rickeyk...@gmail.com
of the Vopinfords i owned the marketing company that provided clientele for future members they breached our contract i had one partner at the time i believe she has passed i we lost income this was in 1990 all members n future members were lied to and deceived by fraudulent sweepstakes my name is Rickey knowles valley Alabama 706-590-4540