BISMARCK - A circus promoter that failed to share a percentage of ticket sales with Park River and Grafton, N.D., has been banned from doing business in North Dakota by Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
A cease-and-desist order was issued against American United Entertainment LLC, also known as Great American Circus of the Stars, Gainesville, Texas. The incidents with Park River and Grafton occurred in June and July 2009, according to a news release.
"It's extremely disappointing that after Park River and Grafton welcomed the circus and its performers to their communities with typical North Dakota hospitality, the circus took advantage of this trust and stiffed them," Stenehjem said in a statement. "In one instance, the circus slipped out of town in the middle of the night without paying the agreed ticket proceeds."
Stenehjem requested his office's Consumer Protection Division to conduct an investigation. He said the state tried to resolve the matter without legal action, but Parrell Grossman, director of the division, said all entities were uncooperative.
According to Stenehjem, American United Entertainment, LLC, should not be confused with a different company, American United Entertainment in California, which is not the subject of any complaints with the Attorney General's Office.
