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by Justice At Last
Dec 12, 2008
FORMER TRAVEL AGENTS SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR EMBEZZLING CUSTOMER FUNDS Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Jerome Brock sentenced former travel agents Joseph Maloof and Norman Hansen to 13 years in the state prison on Wednesday. Maloof and Hansen, the former owners and operators of three now defunct travel agencies known as JM...See MoreFORMER TRAVEL AGENTS SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR EMBEZZLING CUSTOMER FUNDS Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Jerome Brock sentenced former travel agents Joseph Maloof and Norman Hansen to 13 years in the state prison on Wednesday. Maloof and Hansen, the former owners and operators of three now defunct travel agencies known as JM Travel Selections, ITS International Tours, and International Grand Tours, pled guilty in May to 13 felony charges, including a charge of theft by embezzlement. In addition, they admitted an allegation that they had taken more than $1 million from their victims. Maloof had suffered a prior misdemeanor conviction for similar conduct in 1989. Judge Brock ordered the defendants to pay varying amounts of restitution to hundreds of victims from across the United States. Maloof and Hansen were charged after a lengthy investigation led by Deputy District Attorney Martha Donohoe and Investigator Shirley Weber of the California Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Law Section. The investigation revealed that between 2003 and 2005, the defendants embezzled approximately $1.2 million from customer funds. In brief, the defendants operated on a business model of “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” While reassuring customers that their funds were being held in a business trust account, the defendants misappropriated those funds in order to pay for business overhead and in order to purchase travel services for other customers whose payments had been similarly embezzled and spent. In the end, no funds were left over to purchase travel services or provide refunds for many customers who had paid in full. Some customers were not notified that their travel plans were being cancelled until days before their contemplated departure date. Even now, many customers have not received refunds. Under California law as codified in California Business and Professions Code §17550 and following, a seller of travel must deposit funds received from a customer into a trust account. The seller of travel may not use the funds for purposes other than paying for the travel services which the customer is requesting, and the seller of travel may not take his profit until after purchasing those travel services. If the seller of travel is unable to provide the travel services, he must make a full refund to the customer. For a travel agent to accept funds from a customer and to then to misappropriate those funds to the purchase of new office equipment, payment of personal expenses, payment of business expenses, or the purchase of travel services for another customer, is embezzlement and is against the law. The victims include prospective travelers from across the country. ITS International Tours specialized in religiously oriented trips for retired and elderly clients. JM Travel Selections and International Grand Tours specialized in educational tours for schoolchildren and their teachers.
by Rovera Sylvain
Jan 16, 2009
I took a trip to France with CHA last summer (2009) because it was about $1000 cheaper than to travel with ACIS (14 day trip with 18 paying customers). 21 people total. Let me tell you that it was not the best idea. I understand that tour companies can change dates on you, trips...but there is no excuse for providing your group with a bad guide or ...See MoreI took a trip to France with CHA last summer (2009) because it was about $1000 cheaper than to travel with ACIS (14 day trip with 18 paying customers). 21 people total. Let me tell you that it was not the best idea. I understand that tour companies can change dates on you, trips...but there is no excuse for providing your group with a bad guide or having your group stay in hotel in the middle of nowhere (which is dangerous).
Negative: -Changed the tour from 14 to 10 days, on me 1 or 2 months before the trip after all students were paid off. -Hotels in the middle of nowhere -Horrible guide (did not care about the entire group). I basically lead my group with the help of 2 other teachers from other schools for all the excursions. -No time to do anything. We felt rush everyday for lunch. I am not going to France to eat sandwiches everyday. -Some excursions were skipped such as Pont du Gard.
Positive: -Cheaper -Bus was OK
And now, I realized that they sold my home phone number to other companies such as NETC, ACIS and EF. I received a phone call home on Sunday night at 9:00pm last week. So, do you still want to travel with CHA?
I will think twice about it before registering my group with them. I also traveled with ACIS before. They were expensive but they were good. Sometimes it's better to pay more but at least I enjoyed the experience. Their guide was exeptional, the hotels were nicely located, the bus was nice. It was a nice trip where they lead my group and not the opposite. As a teacher, you want your mind to be at ease with organization and just take care of your students.
by anna roebuck
Jan 19, 2009
Took students to DC with a great tour company...classacttours.com. Pricing was wonderful and everything was taken care of! I just handled the basics and they handled everything else. I actually had time to enjoy the trip myself....for a change!
by Simone Klein
Feb 16, 2009
OUR HOMESTAY in Port Moody, BC
Very close to Coquitlam and New Westminster. Our home is located in a quiet neighbourhood. We have an open backyard with a stream and wooded area behind. We have a patio with table & chairs and BBQ, which will be lovely and relaxing during the summer.
We live a few steps away from a bus stop wh...See MoreOUR HOMESTAY in Port Moody, BC
Very close to Coquitlam and New Westminster. Our home is located in a quiet neighbourhood. We have an open backyard with a stream and wooded area behind. We have a patio with table & chairs and BBQ, which will be lovely and relaxing during the summer.
We live a few steps away from a bus stop which will connect you to a bus loop in Coquitlam or Port Moody.
We are accessible to schools: 1) Douglas College - Coquitlam Campus 2) Douglas College - New Westminster Campus 3) Simon Fraser University 4) Canada International College 4) University of British Columbia 5) Other ESL Institutions in Coquitlam and surrounding areas.
Walking distance from shopping center, hair dresser, grocery store, Starbucks, restaurants, public library and recreation center, and parks. Close to Coquitlam Center Mall, lakes, swimming pool, and beaches.
We are offering: one beautiful semi-deluxe bedroom available to international ESL/ exchange student. Bedroom includes: - a twin/double size bed, large window covered with blinds with shared bathroom. - desk with chair and lamp, closet, night stand, radio-alarm clock and a television with cable. - high speed wireless internet available in your own room for your laptop or PC. - linens, bedding, blanket, and towels. - TV with DVD and computer in the family area. - access to laundry facilities anytime, free of charge. - prepared home cooked meals such as: Asian (rice with main course) & Western (rice, chicken, bar-b-q, curry, pizza, pasta, soup & salad )” will be provided. Nutritious self help breakfast always available. Lunch provided on school days. We eat healthy and complete dinners and will be more than willing to provide food of your culture.
Room is available anytime, with or without meals. We are a non-smoking family and would prefer a non-smoker.
We lived and traveled around South East Asia and have come to appreciate different cultures and the need to learn English. We will be glad to help and your English skills will increase dramatically.
We would be willing to show you around your new city and Vancouver. We will be delighted to have you as an additional member of our family and you will be a part of our family activities and gatherings.
Pictures of the room & house are available upon request. If you are interested or further details (Rates with or without meals, Expectations & Rules)
Looking forward to hearing from you!!
by Silke Tibau
Mar 4, 2009
Hi, I'm looking for a fun and trustworthy homestay in Michigan, please contact me! I'd like to arrive in Summer 09.
Kind regards
Silke Tibau
by Cory Kristoff
Mar 5, 2009
We are just starting to search for Grants for field trips, specifically for Washington DC. I would very much appreciate receiving a copy of your grant list.
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On 1/16/09, Rovera Sylvain wrote: > I took a trip to France with CHA last summer (2009) > because ...See More