Travel Firm Accused of False Advertising

Ventura County prosecutors have filed a civil suit against a Ventura travel company, alleging misleading and false advertising.

The suit alleges that Lifestyles Vacation Showcase, LST and Promotional Trip, companies owned by Pabian & Stark Enterprises Inc., advertised and offered “absolutely free” and “no cost” trips to San Francisco and Las Vegas as an inducement to attend a sales presentation.

But the company required customers to deposit $50 to receive the trip. The company claimed the deposit was necessary to pay for hotel taxes, Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael D. Schwartz said.

Schwartz said his office received 41 complaints before filing the suit. The suit seeks to stop the advertisements and business practices in question and unspecified monetary damages and penalties.