Connecticut AG Cracks Down On Company In Sports Booster Scam Case

HARTFORD/VERNON, CT — A Connecticut Superior Court judge has barred a Texas-based company accused of sports booster fraud from doing business in the state until an investigation is complete, Attorney General William Tong said Friday.

Sports Media Advertising cannot operate in Connecticut until the court finds that it has complied with a civil investigative demand issued in connection with an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General.

Attorney General William Tong opened an investigation last year and warned consumers to avoid doing business with the Sports Media Advertising after it began "scamming Connecticut businesses and schools." The investigation was triggered by a report from the Vernon Police Department involving Rockville High School and a Vernon business. The fraud was detected when the business sent a $1,000 check intended for the SMA program directly to the school.

According t0 a police report and Tong's investigation, Rockville High School had no arrangement with SMA, but received an unsolicited package of 25 "low-quality" T-shirts with misspelled school and business logos.

SMA has also been known as Boost Sports Integrative Media, LLC and High School Sports Advertising. Tong said.

Police said it appeared the company was targeting communities by contacting businesses while claiming to be working with a local high school to create items like shirts, cups and banners to promote sports programs.

The businesses were offered sponsorship opportunities to have their logos displayed on the items, together with the school logo, for $300 and $1,000. According to a Vernon police report, RHS officials knew nothing about the arrangement and do not receive any of the money.

Tong said his office initially sent a civil investigation demand to SMA last year, requesting information on the company's business practices in Connecticut. The company attempted to "evade" the investigation by refusing to accept the demand, and the Attorney General's office ultimately served the documents by hand, Tong said.

When the company still ignored the demand, the Office of the Attorney General filed an application in Connecticut Superior Court to block the company from doing business in the Nutmeg State.

"Sports Media Advertising was shamelessly attempting to steal money from local businesses by preying on their proud support for our student athletes," Tong said. "This order sends a strong message that the Office of the Attorney General will not rest in our efforts to hold scammers accountable and protect Connecticut families and businesses."