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Romano Travel Inc. advertised itself as a professional travel agency, however, the NY Attorney General has just ordered the company to repay its customers for failing to provide services. The owners of the company, Gary Swatling and Gail Romano managed to run an elaborate travel scheme for approximately one year. After telling customers that they would be required to pay for their vacation packages in advanced, the owners collected payments and never booked reservations. Most travelers did not find out that they would be unable to go on vacation until a few days before their scheduled departure dates.

The NY Attorney General’s office has ordered the owners of the now defunct Romano Travel Inc. to repay their customers more than $100,000 in restitution. In addition, the accused will not be able to engage in any type of travel based business unless they repay their debt in full and put up a $250,000 security bond. Romano Travel Inc. was based in upstate New York, however the company had offices all over the state. Consumers from all over New York paid for airline tickets, vacation packages and cruise tickets only to find that they were duped.

Those that had the foresight to purchase travel insurance had their claims rejected after it was found that insurance premiums had not been paid by Romano Travel Inc. Although it is clear that Swatling and Romano stole from their clients, it should be noted that they also crushed dreams. A married couple that wanted to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by taking a cruise had to make last minute preparations with another travel agency because of the unethical company’s actions.