A Disney World vacation turned into a nightmare for a group of dance students from Tennessee.
Blue Sky Journeys, a self proclaimed Disney Authorized travel agency are being accused of scamming the group out of more than $60,000 by accepting payments and then not following through on travel arrangements.
Earlier this month, agency owner Melanie Swoap and her husband John Swoap were indicted on the charge of stealing between $60,000 and $250,000, by a Williamson County grand jury. If convicted, they face eight to 12 years in prison.
District Attorney Kim Helper stated that John Swoap also faces charges related for to trying to deposit a couple of the dancers’ checks twice.
The school, arranged the Disney World trip as a way to expose the dancers to the realities of performing for major destinations like Disney. The trip had been booked since August 2012 through Blue Sky, but when the families arrived in Orlando, they found that the shuttle-pass numbers provided by the Swoaps didn’t work. Then they got to their resort only to find they had no rooms reserved, and no park tickets. Several parents presented credit cards to book rooms and passes on the spot, and the trip went on as planned.
There’s no indication of the cost of it all. Money for the trip went directly to Blue Sky. That should have been a red flag to the dance school.
Just about all Travel Agencies like our own Destinations in Florida never accept any form of payment (like cash). They don’t process credit cards or accept checks, they will take clients’ credit card numbers over the phone and then call Disney to make arrangements. But ultimately they do not touch people’s money.
Late Thursday, Fox 17 learned John Swoap is also under investigation for getting unemployment benefits while working at the travel agency. The Swoaps would not talk on camera, but in a Facebook statement said “We are retaining legal representation regarding this matter and our position at this time is that a dubious allegation has been claimed against us as 90 percent of all monies have been refunded to individuals.”
Always be on guard and do your research! If you want to read more check out the Yahoo Shine article.
Photo Credit: yahooshine.com
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Today they entered a plea of gulity and are officially convicted felons. John plead guilty. He is getting 10yrs probation, 100 hours community service, no travel employment whatsoever, repaying $30,958.40 in $300 installments beginning 3/15. Any non payment is a violtation and he goes to jail for 10 years. He is a convicted felon now.
Melanie pleads guilty to theft between $10-$60k/8 yrs Prob/100 hrs community service/NO BUSINESS IN TRAVEL INDUSTRY/$10k restitution/monthly payments of $125 per month starting 3/15/2015. Probation revoked if missed and she will get a sentence of 3-10yrs.
My husband and I met John in the AKL Club Level lounge – either last summer or summer of 2011. He was staying Club Level, the group he’d brought with him (clients) were not. He gave them access to the lounge. During a lengthy conversation with him (yes, he was a smooth talker), he told us this information. It really bothered me, but I kept me mouth shut! I did make sure to get the name of his agency though: Blue Sky Journeys (Franklin, TN). If he and his wife actually did what they’re accused of, I hope they get the punishment they deserve.