Class Action Filed Against Spanish Language Radio Stations
In May, 2008, Meisleman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz, P.C. filed an amended class action complaint in federal court in New York alleging that Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (“SBS”), the owner of two Spanish language radio stations in New York -- “97.9 La Mega FM” and “93.1 Amor FM” -- engaged in deceptive practices and racketeering activity by airing deceptive radio contests. The complaint asserts that SBS, along with Defendant All Star Vacation Marketing Group, Inc., conspired to air radio station contests in which listeners are purposefully misled to believe that they have won an all expense paid, all inclusive trip to various locations in the United States, Mexico or the Caribbean. In fact, the trip that listeners have “won” is anything but free. Although consumers are told repeatedly by Defendants that the trip is an all expense paid, all inclusive trip to an exotic locale, they are never told that they must pay an “administrative fee” – usually in the amount of $399.00 -- or that airfare is not included as part of their “all inclusive” trip. The radio “contests” Defendants are running are merely a ruse to lure unsuspecting consumers to be charged exorbitant “administrative fees,” fake “taxes,” and other costs associated with the purportedly free trips they are enticed to believe they have won.
The class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a class of all persons in the States of New York and New Jersey who were misled into participating in fake radio contests and were then victimized by Defendants. The lawsuit seeks a refund of all fees charged to callers and reimbursement of airfare expenses incurred by class members as a result of Defendants’ scheme.
If you are a victim of a deceptive radio contest aired by La Mega or Amor, and have been charged an administrative fee for a trip, you may be able to participate in this litigation. Please contact us for more information.
