FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 13, 2002

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Genene Morris - Consumer Affairs (973)504-6327
John Hagerty - Criminal Justice (609)984-1936

NEWARK - Consumer Affairs is forwarding to the Office of the Attorney General for criminal review information it has relating to John Forrest, the Colts Neck man who was recently arrested by Old Bridge Police on charges of fraudulent credit card use and theft by deception, Consumer Affairs Director Reni Erdos said.

The October 7 and November 27 arrests of Forrest were made in connection with his resale of tickets for concerts, Broadway shows and sporting event. Old Bridge Police received a total of 28 criminal complaints against Forrest, alleging he double billed consumers for tickets; charged for tickets he did not have and then authorized third-party ticket agents to charge consumers' credit card accounts and supply the tickets for which consumers already paid him. The complaints also allege that Forrest took money for tickets but never sent them to consumers or represented to consumers that he could get the best seats at events, but after consumers paid, he would deliver them tickets for seats that were among the worst.

Forrest and his company, Tri-State Ticket Exchange of Old Bridge, were the subject of a six-count complaint filed by the State in January 1999 alleging that Forrest engaged in activities that violated the State's anti-ticket-scalping laws. He ultimately entered into a consent judgement that required him to resolve consumer complaints against him, pay consumer restitution; and pay the State $100,000 in penalties and costs. Forrest, who is not a registered ticket broker in New Jersey, is prohibited from selling tickets to New Jersey events. Tri-State Ticket Exchange has also done business throughout the tri-state area as, among others: Tri State Exchange; Broadway Jacks; Broadway Entertainment, Spotlight Entertainment, Ltd.; Theatre Central, Ltd.; Westside Events; The Exchange, Inc.; and TSTE, Ltd.

There are 42 complaints pending with Consumer Affairs against Forrest. Consumer Affairs has been attempting to resolve those complaints pursuant to terms under the consent judgement. Information relating to these complaints and any new complaints received will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for review and possible criminal prosecution.

"We are aware of the investigation that the Old Bridge Police has underway in connection with this matter. However, in light of the additional information that has surfaced concerning Forrest's activities, including allegations that he has sold tickets to New Jersey events, we believe State criminal action may be in order," Attorney General Samson said. "We will conduct a thorough review of the facts to determine whether to prosecute Forrest criminally."

"Forrest's alleged activities demonstrate his unwillingness to cooperate with civil authorities and come into compliance with not only the State's anti-ticket-scalping laws, but the agreement he entered into with the State more than a year ago," Erdos said. "We want to ensure that we cover all of our bases in order to bring an end to Forrest's activities once and for all."