ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE FILES CHARGES AGAINST TWO HEALTH CLUBS

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has filed administrative charges against two health clubs for failing to register with the Division under Maryland’s Health Club law. The businesses are Muscle Hogger Health & Fitness, LLC of Brunswick and Sheritha D. McKenzie T/A Bodies On Line of Baltimore. Although not registered with the Division, each business has sold health club services for a significant period of time.

Under Maryland law, health clubs, self-defense schools, and weight loss centers are required to register prior to selling health club services. The law also requires facilities to post a bond or other security with the Division if they collect more than three months of payment in advance from members or charge a initiation fee of more than $200.00.

“Enforcement by my office of the registration and bonding requirements helps to protect consumers in the event that the club should go out of business before a consumer’s membership expires,” said Curran.

The charges seek an order requiring the businesses to cease and desist from selling health club services in Maryland unless they have complied with the registration requirement and to pay civil penalties, restitution and costs.

Curran urges consumers to visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.state.md.us/Heathclub/consumer or call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6350 before they join a health club, weight loss center or self-defense school to see if it is properly registered and bonded. The web site also contains tips for consumers considering joining health clubs, weight loss centers or karate schools.

A public hearing on charges will be held at the offices of the Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, in Baltimore, on November 17, 2006, at 10:00 a.m.