St. Clair County colleges sue journey company for $105,000 right after canceled band vacation

Months just after large school band trips were canceled due to the pandemic, moms and dads from a selection of Alabama university programs are still waiting to get their income back from a Florida journey organization.

Thursday,  St. Clair County Board of Education and Springville Band Boosters filed a grievance from Musical Destinations, Inc. and Joseph Cooper in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit alleges Musical Locations owes the plaintiffs $105,865. The money was to go over transportation, accommodations and tickets to Orlando Topic Parks for a higher school band journey.

Monday ABC3340 News will air a special report on our investigation.  

Plaintiff Legal professional John Rea claims business enterprise owner Joseph Cooper originally promised refunds but has given that stop returning cellphone calls.

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Rea says their investigation displays significant vendors and Disney refunded payments back to Cooper, so it is unclear why he is not returning the revenue to the universities. The lawsuit alleges breach of agreement, fraud and unjust enrichment.

“It can be like a slap in the confront,” suggests St. Clair University Superintendent Mike Howard.  He clarifies they were in the beginning told by the owner everything would arrive as a result of great. Then all conversation stopped. Howard states households are having difficulties and require their revenue again. He estimates moms and dads are out $500 – $1,000 each and every relying on fundraising. “I won’t be able to feel it is appear to this mothers and fathers are worthy of far better,” remarked Howard.   

ABC 33/40 News has also realized other colleges including Dora Higher School are searching for refunds from Musical Locations.

Shelby County Universities unveiled this assertion to ABC3340 Information Friday:

“The Shelby County College District is at this time performing with our board attorneys to find a resolution to a condition involving Musical Destinations and refunds that have been asked for by mom and dad for trips that ended up canceled previous spring thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the reason that this is an ongoing legal make a difference, the district is not at liberty to deliver specific details in regards to this scenario.”

Jefferson County Universities introduced this assertion Friday:

“We hope there will be a optimistic resolution for our students and family members associated in this situation. Because this make a difference is still on-likely, we cannot remark even more at this time.”

ABC3340 Information has named and emailed Musical Destinations for a response. We will update our tale as soon as we hear back again.  

The enterprise has an F rating from the Improved Organization Bureau thanks to allegations surrounding pandemic refunds.

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