State sues LV man over alleged false scholarship offers

Monday, June 17, 2002 | 11:07 a.m.

The Nevada Attorney General's office is suing a Las Vegas man and his business, alleging they targeted Hispanic consumers with deceptive offers for music lessons and instruments.

The state on Friday sued Yoel Dan and Yoel Dan School of Music, 720 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 204, in Clark County District Court, alleging violations of the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Nevada Solicitations by Telephone Act.

Deputy Attorney General Ernest Figueroa said the defendants made unsolicited telephone calls to Nevada consumers from December 2001 through May 2002 and allegedly made false claims that their children had won music scholarships that were approved and sponsored by the Clark County School District.

The suit said the consumers were then told to pay a $50 insurance fee to receive the free scholarship and allegedly required customers, after a month of attendance, to enter into a retail installment contract for a $2,500 European 120 bass key accordion in order to continue to qualify for the free scholarship.

The state, which said consumers instead received a 60 bass key accordion that was made in China and valued at about $300, wants restitution for all consumers who bought products, programs and services from Yoel Dan and for all installment contracts to be voided.

The state also wants civil penalties of $2,500 for each violation of the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act and civil penalties of $5,000 for each violation of the Nevada Solicitations by Telephone Act to be imposed on the defendant.

Yoel Dan could not be reached for comment on the state's allegations.

The state alleges there are 10 to as many as 50 victims.