Complaint filed against Tri-State First Responders, Country Krazy Fest canceled
May 24, 2023 at 6:33 p.m.
The upcoming "Country Krazy Fest," presented by SMPL-Sky Entertainment LLC and the non-profit organization Tri-State 1st Responders, scheduled for June 9-10 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, has been canceled. The two-day event consisted of a music festival featuring country music singer Colt Ford and a firework show on Friday, followed by the Tri-State 1st Responder's 2nd Annual Rodeo on Saturday. Ticket sales were well underway when the event was abruptly canceled, leaving those who had already purchased tickets without an answer on how to receive a refund.
The cancellation came as a result of SMPL-Sky Entertainment LLC, Daniel Ward and Tasha Ridinger (co-owners of SMPL-Sky) filing a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio, on May 16, against Robert A. Peters (co-owner of SMPL-Sky ), Tri-State 1st Responders Association, and Sunman Police Association Limited for contract breach of fiduciary duty, fraud/fraudulent inducement, unjust enrichment, civil conspiracy, injunctive relief, and statutory expulsion of Peters from SMPL-Sky.
In part, the claim states, "In furtherance of the planned 'Country Krazy' event, defendant Peters created an online ticket sale and vendor registration portal through a Tri-State 1st Responders Association website. The plaintiffs discovered tickets purchased through that website generated a message to ticket buyers that read: "Thanks for donating to Sunman Police Association Limited." The confirmation message, amongst other discrepancies, prompted the plaintiffs to ask Peters why ticket sales were being handled this way, to which they stated Peters offered a vague explanation to the effect that doing so would result in tax advantages. The plaintiffs stated because Peters was the chairman of Tri-State 1st responders, they relied on Peters’ experience and knowledge regarding such matters. The claim continues by saying, "Initially, as tickets were sold for the 'Country Krazy' event, plaintiffs had partial access to sales data and could see, for example, the number of tickets sold and the corresponding dollar value of those sales. However, the plaintiffs did not see corresponding deposits to the SMPL-Sky bank account or any detailed accounting of such sales. According to the plaintiffs, defendant Peters was evasive when questioned for additional information. The plaintiffs then pressed Peters to provide detail and documentation. Peters provided what appear to be partial account statements for two separate accounts with financial irregularities. Further, the claim states Defendants Peters and Sunman Police Association Limited d/b/a Tri-State 1st Responders Association knowingly and intentionally used the "non-profit" corporate status of Sunman Police Association Limited to unlawfully launder income related to the planned "Country Krazy" event through bank accounts held or controlled by defendants.
The plaintiffs also stated in the claim they have continued to receive almost daily inquiries from vendors, ticket buyers, and community partners who appear to feel that they have been or are being misled with regard to one or more aspects of the "Country Krazy" event. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law, as defendants' ongoing conduct is likely to create serious negative impacts to the plaintiffs' reputations and their ability to effectively plan, organize and implement such events in the future.
Subsequently, the representatives of SMPL-Sky announced the event's cancellation in a statement to Whitewater Publications.
"We at SMPL-Sky Entertainment LLC want to express how hard this was to cancel. After weeks upon weeks of trying to figure out how to move forward with this event, our legal team could not receive a solid response from the defendant. So to protect the community, fair board, artists, food vendors, craft vendors, our company, and all the other production included with June 9, 2023, Country Krazy, we had to move forward with cancellation and move into legal proceedings. We cannot respond about the rodeo and that event because this was not our event to discuss. As a reminder of who bought tickets for the concert, please reach out to the original email you received from the defendant for questions. Our legal team is working swiftly and diligently to resolve this quickly. On the advice of our legal team, we have no additional comment at this time. Thank you, SMPL-Sky Entertainment, LLC."
Whitewater Publications reached out to Tri-state 1st Responders regarding the claim filed and ticket refunds and received the following statement:
"It has been decided through legal and board decision to CANCEL the June 9 - 10, 2023 Concert and Rodeo Event to be held at the Franklin Co. Fairground property. Due to circumstances outside our control and the litigation with other parties involved, we decline to make further statements at this time! Vendor and Ticket Refunds Should Email [email protected]. Refunds Will Be Reviewed and Discussed through this email going forward."
Whitewater Publications included the following questions to Tri-State 1st Responders regarding some of the specific claims filed. The following responses were received:
Q: How much in ticket sales has been raised?
A: This information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
Q: How will sales be refunded?
A: This information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
Q: What is the involvement of the non-profits and the rodeo/concert event?
A: The Sunman Police Association; DBA Tri-State 1st Responders Association are the host of the events of discussion for fundraisers.
Q: What is the total amount raised by both nonprofits?
A: We would like to identify that the Sunman Police Association is the same non-profit as Tri-State 1st Responders. The Tri-State Name is an associated Doing Business As name.
Q: How much has been donated to first responders?
A: This information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
Q: What organizations/people were provided assistance?
The Tri-State Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky Region, last year donations were shared with all Franklin Co Fire/EMS Agencies through check valued at $500.
Q: There are several charges from the non-profit account that appear to be personal in nature. Is that the case?
A: This Information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
About SMPL-Sky Entertainment, LLC
SMPL-Sky is an Ohio limited liability company in Milford, Ohio. There are three members of SMPL-Sky Ward, Ridinger, and Peters, each with 33% interest in the company.
About Sunman Police Association Limited d/b/a Tri-State 1st Responders
Sunman Police Association Limited is an Indiana non-profit corporation, who received its certificate of the corporation in Dec. of 2021. The incorporators are listed as Robert A Peters, Jason Hoffman and Adam Boesken. The Principal office address is 604 N. Main Street in Sunman which is the Sunman Town Hall/Police Dept. Sunman P.A. does business under the name Tristate 1st Responders Association, which received its corporation certificate in Jan. of 2022. The address listed is 122 S. Meridian St., Unit 4. Peters is listed as the chairman of the organization.
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The upcoming "Country Krazy Fest," presented by SMPL-Sky Entertainment LLC and the non-profit organization Tri-State 1st Responders, scheduled for June 9-10 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, has been canceled. The two-day event consisted of a music festival featuring country music singer Colt Ford and a firework show on Friday, followed by the Tri-State 1st Responder's 2nd Annual Rodeo on Saturday. Ticket sales were well underway when the event was abruptly canceled, leaving those who had already purchased tickets without an answer on how to receive a refund.
The cancellation came as a result of SMPL-Sky Entertainment LLC, Daniel Ward and Tasha Ridinger (co-owners of SMPL-Sky) filing a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio, on May 16, against Robert A. Peters (co-owner of SMPL-Sky ), Tri-State 1st Responders Association, and Sunman Police Association Limited for contract breach of fiduciary duty, fraud/fraudulent inducement, unjust enrichment, civil conspiracy, injunctive relief, and statutory expulsion of Peters from SMPL-Sky.
In part, the claim states, "In furtherance of the planned 'Country Krazy' event, defendant Peters created an online ticket sale and vendor registration portal through a Tri-State 1st Responders Association website. The plaintiffs discovered tickets purchased through that website generated a message to ticket buyers that read: "Thanks for donating to Sunman Police Association Limited." The confirmation message, amongst other discrepancies, prompted the plaintiffs to ask Peters why ticket sales were being handled this way, to which they stated Peters offered a vague explanation to the effect that doing so would result in tax advantages. The plaintiffs stated because Peters was the chairman of Tri-State 1st responders, they relied on Peters’ experience and knowledge regarding such matters. The claim continues by saying, "Initially, as tickets were sold for the 'Country Krazy' event, plaintiffs had partial access to sales data and could see, for example, the number of tickets sold and the corresponding dollar value of those sales. However, the plaintiffs did not see corresponding deposits to the SMPL-Sky bank account or any detailed accounting of such sales. According to the plaintiffs, defendant Peters was evasive when questioned for additional information. The plaintiffs then pressed Peters to provide detail and documentation. Peters provided what appear to be partial account statements for two separate accounts with financial irregularities. Further, the claim states Defendants Peters and Sunman Police Association Limited d/b/a Tri-State 1st Responders Association knowingly and intentionally used the "non-profit" corporate status of Sunman Police Association Limited to unlawfully launder income related to the planned "Country Krazy" event through bank accounts held or controlled by defendants.
The plaintiffs also stated in the claim they have continued to receive almost daily inquiries from vendors, ticket buyers, and community partners who appear to feel that they have been or are being misled with regard to one or more aspects of the "Country Krazy" event. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law, as defendants' ongoing conduct is likely to create serious negative impacts to the plaintiffs' reputations and their ability to effectively plan, organize and implement such events in the future.
Subsequently, the representatives of SMPL-Sky announced the event's cancellation in a statement to Whitewater Publications.
"We at SMPL-Sky Entertainment LLC want to express how hard this was to cancel. After weeks upon weeks of trying to figure out how to move forward with this event, our legal team could not receive a solid response from the defendant. So to protect the community, fair board, artists, food vendors, craft vendors, our company, and all the other production included with June 9, 2023, Country Krazy, we had to move forward with cancellation and move into legal proceedings. We cannot respond about the rodeo and that event because this was not our event to discuss. As a reminder of who bought tickets for the concert, please reach out to the original email you received from the defendant for questions. Our legal team is working swiftly and diligently to resolve this quickly. On the advice of our legal team, we have no additional comment at this time. Thank you, SMPL-Sky Entertainment, LLC."
Whitewater Publications reached out to Tri-state 1st Responders regarding the claim filed and ticket refunds and received the following statement:
"It has been decided through legal and board decision to CANCEL the June 9 - 10, 2023 Concert and Rodeo Event to be held at the Franklin Co. Fairground property. Due to circumstances outside our control and the litigation with other parties involved, we decline to make further statements at this time! Vendor and Ticket Refunds Should Email [email protected]. Refunds Will Be Reviewed and Discussed through this email going forward."
Whitewater Publications included the following questions to Tri-State 1st Responders regarding some of the specific claims filed. The following responses were received:
Q: How much in ticket sales has been raised?
A: This information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
Q: How will sales be refunded?
A: This information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
Q: What is the involvement of the non-profits and the rodeo/concert event?
A: The Sunman Police Association; DBA Tri-State 1st Responders Association are the host of the events of discussion for fundraisers.
Q: What is the total amount raised by both nonprofits?
A: We would like to identify that the Sunman Police Association is the same non-profit as Tri-State 1st Responders. The Tri-State Name is an associated Doing Business As name.
Q: How much has been donated to first responders?
A: This information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
Q: What organizations/people were provided assistance?
The Tri-State Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky Region, last year donations were shared with all Franklin Co Fire/EMS Agencies through check valued at $500.
Q: There are several charges from the non-profit account that appear to be personal in nature. Is that the case?
A: This Information is presently not available for release during the legal action presently in place. This information will be shared at its completion.
About SMPL-Sky Entertainment, LLC
SMPL-Sky is an Ohio limited liability company in Milford, Ohio. There are three members of SMPL-Sky Ward, Ridinger, and Peters, each with 33% interest in the company.
About Sunman Police Association Limited d/b/a Tri-State 1st Responders
Sunman Police Association Limited is an Indiana non-profit corporation, who received its certificate of the corporation in Dec. of 2021. The incorporators are listed as Robert A Peters, Jason Hoffman and Adam Boesken. The Principal office address is 604 N. Main Street in Sunman which is the Sunman Town Hall/Police Dept. Sunman P.A. does business under the name Tristate 1st Responders Association, which received its corporation certificate in Jan. of 2022. The address listed is 122 S. Meridian St., Unit 4. Peters is listed as the chairman of the organization.