WINK News confirms payments from embattled travel company to Sen. Burt Saunders
By
Mike Walcher, WINK News
Story Created:
Oct 9, 2008 at 4:43 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 9, 2008 at 6:37 PM EST
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - State Senator Burt Saunders (R-Naples) received $16,500 from Your Travel Biz International, an online travel company that is being sued by the State of California, and some individuals. WINK News on Wednesday broke the story of Saunders, serving on the Board of Directors of Your Travel Biz.
Sen. Saunders is running for U.S. Congress, and filed financial disclosure statements last spring. Those documents confirm, he was paid $11,000 dollars to be a director of the company, known commonly as YTB. He also received $5,500 from YTB as a consulting fee during the year 2007.
That report was filed in early May of '08. Neither Saunders nor the company would tell WINK, how much he has gotten as a director since then.
The State of California Attorney General is suing YTB, calling it an illegal pyramid scheme, in which people buy into the company, and then sell 'memberships' to other people. The members can access websites that allow them to book travel for people. California, and two class-action lawsuits, claim that most YTB members sell very little travel; instead they focus on recruiting new members to feed money into the company. Some call that a Pyramid scheme.
Here in Southwest Florida on Thursday, WINK News talked with Lynne and Larry Beaudry of Pine Island. They are YTB members and they believe strongly in the company. They say they make 1/2 their YTB income from recruiting new people, and 1/2 from selling travel deals.
"This company is going to prove that it is for real, it is legal, and it is going to succeed for a lot of middle-class people like us," Lynne Beaudry told WINK.
WINK News has tried repeatedly to contact Senator Saunders, who is running against Cong. Connie Mack in November. Saunders refused comment in a brief phone call to WINK on Wednesday. He did tell the Fort Myers News-Press, the accusations against YTB are "really silly."
Sunday, Oct 26 at 1:52 PM JJ wrote ...
YTB is being sued by the CA Attorney General's office for being a pyramid scheme. And, YTB has 2 class action lawsuits, a federal lawsuit and is being investigated by the IL AG's office. This has nothing to do with brick and mortar agencies losing business or market shift. They are a scam. Go to http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/PSAMain/home.html and get the real truth. Lloyd Tomer was involved in previous schemes and was shut down. Meridian Bank was closed because of questionable loans to them.
Monday, Oct 13 at 8:54 PM Dave Conner wrote ...
YTB is a publicly traded company. They have been subjected to intensive scrutiny by a number of agencies to attain this standing. A pyramid scheme could not possibly get a passing grade. Furthermore, YTB online stores sold $500 million in travel in 2007. At the current rate, $1 billion will be sold in 2008. these numbers represent a significantly increasing loss of market share suffered by "brick and mortar" travel agencies and other online travel sellers. Market shift:yes. Pyramid scheme:No.
Monday, Oct 13 at 5:45 PM YTBer wrote ...
YTB's piggy bank, Meridian Bank, was shut down by the FDIC on Friday. The taxpayers will be paying off all those losses from YTB's huge borrowings. Check it out on fdic.gov
Saturday, Oct 11 at 12:53 PM the truth wrote ...
Burt owns plenty of YTB stock. Here is the SEC filing pal: YTB International Inc: Insider TradingThe following transactions were listed on a Form 4 document filed with the SEC. Transaction Detail back to Transactions Overview Name SAUNDERS BURT L Title Director Remaining Shares 24,391 Trade Date 05/23/08 Transaction Grant Quantity 24,391
Friday, Oct 10 at 8:39 PM Sue wrote ...
Wink News should get the facts. YTB sells travel and has received many awards from various travel vendors. I've achieved awesome things with this company and thank God for this opportunity. IF you work, you make money, if you do nothing, you make nothing. This is not an entitlement company. You do not join anything. You get a viable Home BAsed Business and maybe with a little work you could change your family's life.
Friday, Oct 10 at 4:26 PM Clair wrote ...
I have purchased my own YTB Travel site, Ive only been in business for 6 months and the return has been exactly what I had expected. Friends, family and now even strangers have booked with me instead of the large online booking engines. They have been satisfied with the service of my site, no snags or booking fees. Im very happy with the downline comp plan, and am looking forward to a steady growth of income. Anyone who takes a good look at this home based business opporunity will be pleased.
Friday, Oct 10 at 2:59 PM Sam wrote ...
There is some serious hijinks going on with YTB and Meridian Bank. They were ordered a cease and desist. YTB was basically cut off. AND, YTB payed out $8 million to make a foam statue of liberty to be used at their convention. The company they used was owned by YTB. Legal, yes. Ethical-No. They stupid thing was donated to some community who didn't even want it. The abuses of this company go very deep. And, the RTA's are blind, kool aid drinking fools.
Friday, Oct 10 at 6:30 AM Nick D wrote ...
Big Scam, my buddy drove me nuts to join, dont waste your money........
Friday, Oct 10 at 5:26 AM Pam Axelrod wrote ...
I've been reading the comments and it is hard for me to believe how indoctrinated some YTB members are. It reminds me of being in a cult, not a travel company. Why not look into a legit travel co. www.traverustalk.com
Friday, Oct 10 at 1:10 AM Vampcanary wrote ...
I don't get WINK in Sarasota, & don't know Mr Saunders,or about him being on the BOD of YTB.RE:the suit filed in Calif,that's old news. It was in response to a couple complaints from a lg travel co. that didn't like YTB taking alot of their business. YTB has esrned the Pinnacle Award from Carnival the last 4 years. YTB has booked MILLIONS in travel.They're NOT a pyramid. They are 2 companies. 1 travel,1 marketing.You can one or both. I invite you to visit their website.
Thursday, Oct 9 at 11:54 PM The truth wrote ...
Sue get a grip! I thought that in this country a person is innocent until proven guilty? I guest your God! You already passed judgement!
Thursday, Oct 9 at 9:58 PM Sue wrote ...
I'm sorry, but I don't think this is really silly. It's actually very serious. Our elected leaders should show better judgement than this. Shame on you Burt Saunders. You just lost my vote.
Thursday, Oct 9 at 7:23 PM sam bass wrote ...
this sounds politically motivated, mark my words, "YTB will be vindicated and will become the largest travel company in the world"
Thursday, Oct 9 at 6:25 PM Ray Jensen wrote ...
I belong to YTB and have been a member for two years, I have not been as successful as I thought,however that is not the fault of YTB,it has been my own doing as I have not put in the time that is necessary to be successful. Have I made money? Yes. Is it as much as I would have liked to no. But them YTB never promised me that I would make a certain amount, it was up to me to persue what I wanted to make. You joined, take responsibilty for your own actions and not blame it anyone else.
Thursday, Oct 9 at 5:50 PM GEOFFREY RYAN wrote ...
I AM WITH YTB - GREAT COMPANY. HOW MANY TIMES HAS MICROSOFT BEEN WRONGLY SUED? DOES THAT MAKE THEM A BAD COMPANY. NOBODY MENTIONS THAT THE CALIFORNIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL IS BEING SUED HIMSELF BY THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
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