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A judge sentenced three former employees at MasterVend Marketing to either prison or probation and to pay restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to The South Florida Business Journal in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
U.S. District Court Judge Ursala Ungaro-Benages, in Miami, Fla., sentenced Evans Eric Baros Jr., Samuel Elmowitz and Dana Kerri Elmowitz Pearl. The company, in business in January 2004 until February 2005, sold candy and snack and soda vending machine business opportunities to consumers across the U.S.
Baros is sentenced to 26 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He also must pay $339,071.68 in restitution.
Elmowitz is sentenced to five years of probation and a term 12 months' home confinement with electronic monitoring. He must pay $341,539.70 in restitution.
Pearl is sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. She must pay $359,763.47 in restitution.
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Editor's Insight: The Justice Department and law enforcement agencies are paying closer attention to business opportunity scams. Vending trade organizations should formally thank law enforcement agencies for these actions. Law enforcement professionals, like anyone, appreciate being appreciated.
The National Automatic Merchandising Association and many state organizations have supported efforts to warn consumers about these schemes, but there is no sure-fire way to protect people from their own poor judgment.
Because NAMA is involved in ongoing efforts to fight business opportunity scams, it is one more reason that operators should support their national trade association. 06-22-07 by Elliot Maras