Attorney General Gansler Files Charges Against Six Health Clubs

September 26, 2008 (Baltimore, MD) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division (“the Division”) has filed administrative charges against six health clubs for failing to renew their registration with the Division under Maryland’s Health Club law. Under Maryland law, health clubs, self-defense schools and weight loss centers are required to register with the Division prior to selling health club services. The businesses are:

• D. C. Martial Arts Academies, Inc. (Bethesda)
• Bryant O. Parker t/a Elite Martial Arts Academy (Sunderland)
• Island Athletic Club, Inc. (Grasonville)
• Karate Club of America, Inc. (Silver Spring)
• Mayeday Enterprises, LLC t/a Positive Impact Martial Arts (Potomac)
• World Wing Chun Kung Fu and Karate Academy of Maryland, Inc. (Woodlawn)

”In these tough financial times, it is especially important to ensure that health clubs comply with registration and bonding requirements as this helps to protect consumers’ financial health in the event that the club should go out of business,” said Attorney General Gansler.

The charges allege that each business has sold health club services during the 2007-2008 registration period without registering with the Division’s Health Club Registration Unit as required by law. The charges seek an order requiring the businesses to cease and desist from selling health club services in Maryland, unless they comply with the registration requirements, and to pay civil penalties and associated costs. A public hearing on charges will be held at the Office of Administrative Hearings, 11101 Gilroy Road, in Hunt Valley, on October 15, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.

Attorney General Gansler urges consumers to visit the Office of the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.state.md.us/Heathclub/consumer.htm 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 self-defense schools.