Attorney General Tong announces investigation into troubled Capulet festival

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has announced an investigation into the troubled Capulet Festival, his office said.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Tong said his office had received over 60 complaints from ticket holders.

“Nothing makes me angrier than seeing people get ripped off in our state,” Tong said. “As a consumer and as a fan, what happened to the people who paid for the tickets is outrageous, wrong and unacceptable. That’s why I’m announcing an investigation. What we do know is that people were told they were going to get a three-day music festival at Thompson Motor Speedway and that it was going to be accessible and safe.”

The investigation targets Capulet Entertainment LLC and its owner Estevan Vega, who moved the venue of the three-day music festival from the Thompson Speedway to the much smaller Webster Theater in Hartford, a smaller venue over an hour away. The rock festival was scheduled to take place June 28-30, but after the venue was moved, several bands canceled and some fans were told there was no room for them. On Sunday, the final day of the event, the festival was suddenly canceled and some fans were desperately trying to get their money back.

Now Tong describes the festival as a potential threat to public safety.

“Safety, hygiene, toilets, first aid and protection have not been given enough attention,” Tong said.

Ticket prices for a three-day all-access VIP pass were as high as $700.

The attorney general said he was advising ticket holders to “exhaust all necessary avenues” to try to get their money back.

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Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]