Ponzi Scheme Alleged in Waiting Room TVs

SANTA ANA, Calif. (CN) - A class action claims the companies behind Exhibeo System, a TV system used in medical waiting rooms, defrauded lessees of $12 million in a Ponzi scheme. In the Superior Court complaint, a doctor who leased the Exhibeo System sued Iowa-based Professional Solutions Finance Corp., Florida-based Brican America and Viso Lasik Medspas and their affiliates, claiming the lease-sales program was "nothing more than a fraudulent Ponzi scheme."

Viso Medspas are Lasik eye surgery centers that defendants Jean Vincens and Jack Lemacon's established in at least four states, according to the complaint.

Named plaintiff Vijay Patel says the defendants accepted payments for more than 500 equipment lease-sales agreements. Lessees entered the agreements under the impression they would be "minimally out of pocket," because the system, which markets products and provides information from doctors to patients, would pay for itself.

Professional Solutions is accused of accepting payments for thousands of dollars more than what the equipment was worth, and kicking back money to Brican.

Vincens and Lemacon made millions in through the lease payments, according to the complaint. They allegedly shared personnel and files, computers and electronic systems, and "moved money between entities without any formalities, as if one combined 'pot' and 'partnership,' to fund the opening of Lasik Medspas."

The class seeks disgorgement, restitution, damages and costs, alleging breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, false advertising, and deceptive business practices.

The class is represented by Kenneth Catanzarite of Anaheim.

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