Attorney General Bondi’s Weekly Briefing

August 24, 2018
Last Sunday, Clay County Deputy Ben Zirbel sustained critical injuries from a motorcycle accident. Just three days later, we learned that he passed away from those injuries. Every time I hear about a brave law enforcement officer getting critically injured while protecting our communities, it takes my breath away. My deepest sympathies go out to Deputy Zirbel’s family, friends and the entire Clay County law enforcement community.

May you rest in peace deputy.

This week, we filed legal action against a Florida travel agency that collected millions from consumers, then failed to provide promised vacations. Legendary Journeys, a now-shuttered Sarasota-based travel agency, still owes customers nationwide more than $3 million in refunds.

According to our legal complaint, Legendary Journeys and two of the company’s officers misappropriated company assets for personal benefit before closing, then filed an assignment for the benefit of creditors—a legal proceeding similar to bankruptcy. The defendants took money paid by consumers for vacation packages and used it to pay personal expenses and make extra payroll distributions.

Consumers nationwide made more than 800 claims against Legendary Journeys, totaling more than $3 million. The company promised to refund consumers, but assets are estimated at this time to be insufficient to pay creditors in full.

This is unacceptable. People plan and save for years in order to take a family vacation and it is disgraceful that anyone would take their hard-earned money and then ruin their plans. My office is seeking permanent injunctive relief, restitution and the imposition of civil penalties and fees against the defendants. We will not allow anyone to rip off travelers and ruin family vacations.