D.A. Blows Whistle on Phony Hoops League

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (CN) - Vic's Pacific Coast Basketball League and its owner, Victor McGee, blew off court orders to pay his workers, "sold tickets to the public for non-existent games," promised to give away thousands of dollars at the nonexistent game, and used other ruses to cheat people, the Kern County District Attorney says. The D.A. adds that McGee is still collecting money "for events that will not occur."

Kern County D.A. Edward Jagels says McGee's basketball league is a cardboard-cutout that advertises and takes money for nonexistent events, for which he lists sponsors who have no idea their names are being used.

McGee claimed that his league had 50 teams in California, in five conferences, and that he had teams in 250 cities throughout the United States - but he doesn't, the district attorney. McGee, however, did name his 10 nonexistent teams in the "Central Valley Division," according to the complaint.

The D.A. adds that McGee blew off orders from the Labor Commissioner to pay wages, interest and penalties to three employees he'd cheated.

Jagels says that McGee advertised on his league's Web site a "Pacific Conference" game between the Bakersfield Buckets and the Visalia Viscounts, to be held at Vic's stadium in Bakersfield, but no such game was scheduled.

McGee advertised that he would give away $5,000 to fans at the game, and the winning team would all "get used cars," the D.A. says.

McGee was deemed a vexatious litigant by Fresno County Superior Court in 2003, Jagels says. He seeks civil penalties, restitution and an injunction for unlawful and unfair business practices.

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