Tong announces investigation into troubled Capulet festival – NBC Connecticut

Attorney General William Tong is launching an investigation into this weekend’s Capulet Festival.

“What happened to the people who paid for the tickets is outrageous, wrong and unacceptable,” Tong said during a press conference, adding that his office had already received 60 complaints by Tuesday afternoon.

Fans expressed their displeasure at what was billed as a three-day hard outdoor rock music festival at Thompson Speedway Mortorsports Park.

At the last minute, Capulet Entertainment LLC announced that the event had been moved to the Webster Theater in Hartford, shortened to two days, and canceled some performances.

“We should definitely get a refund for Sunday because we paid for a show we couldn’t go to,” said Krystal Johnson, a Rhode Island woman who attended the event.

Estevan Vega, owner of Capulet Entertainment, also runs Joey’s Barber Lounge in Colchester. Employees at the shop said he was unavailable for comment today.

Tong said his office has been in touch with Vegas’ lawyers, but he has not yet received an explanation as to why the event was postponed and shows were canceled.

“There is no law that tells a concert promoter to do x, y and z. They just can’t lie to people,” Tong said.

Vega announced the venue change on Thursday, the day before the event, but some fans and bands said they only found out about it through social media or other attendees.

“Wouldn’t you somehow stay in touch with them and let them know what’s happening,” said Andrey Bozyrkin, singer and manager of Magic Moment.

Bozyrkin said Magic Moment is offering refunds to fans who purchased their tickets directly from the band, although no one has requested such a refund so far.

Other bands have offered free tickets for future performances.

“The fact that some of these bands are doing more than the promoter says something,” Johnson said.

Tong suggested fans could also contact their bank or credit card company and ask for help, adding that it was too early to say how the investigation would turn out and whether he could help fans get refunds.

“I obviously want to do the best for my fans, but I want to make it clear that I don’t know if Capulet is a big company,” he said. “I don’t know Mr. Vega’s financial situation. I don’t know where the money is.”