Attorney general announces settlement with entertainment company over failed 2024 music festival

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – The Attorney General has announced a settlement that will provide refunds to people who bought tickets to a failed music festival.

In June of 2024, the Capulet Festival was set to take place over 3 days at the Thompson Motor Speedway.

Ashley Lessard was promised the weekend of her life, spending almost $700 for a 3-day VIP pass that included meet and greets. Instead, she and hundreds of others got a weekend of chaos.

But the day before the start of the festival, organizer Estevan Vega changed venues, going from the Thompson Speedway which could hold 13,000, to the Webster Theater in Hartford, which could hold 1,200.

Fans who prepaid for tickets, camping and more were forced to cancel.

“Like I know things happen, but 24 hours in advance from people that have flown over the country, drove across the country, spent money in hotels, everything like that. You can’t just say, oh yeah. Sorry guys. We’re changing the venue. Like super last minute,” says Lessard.

Several bands canceled as well, and on the 2nd day of the festival, it abruptly shut down during a show, after the Webster Theater said Vega failed to pay for staff, security and more. Lessard failed to get her money back, she’s still fighting with her credit card company.

But there’s now hope for some. Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement Thursday with Vega and Capulet Entertainment to provide $50,000 in customer refunds.

“What really burns me is when people get ripped off, and this is a straight up rip off. And, you know, people paid a lot of money, hundreds of dollars, some people as high as $700.00 for a three-day music festival that they never got,” says Tong.

But the refunds only apply to those in Connecticut or those who haven’t already gotten refunds.

“So for the State of Connecticut, if you are from Connecticut and you are a ticket holder or a customer, this applies to Connecticut, there’s a $50,000 fund and we think this should cover everyone in Connecticut who needs a refund. Now, if you’ve already been covered by Capulet, or by your credit card company, or by the bank then you can’t go back to the fund,” says Tong. Vega has declared bankruptcy and with limited funds available, the AG’s Office wanted to prioritize CT residents first.

HOW TO GET A REFUND:

Consumers seeking refunds should send a written request to Vega’s attorney, Mark A. Balaban, Esq., c/o The Balaban & Raczka Law Firm, 425 Main Street, 4th Floor, Middletown, CT 06457.

For those not in CT, there is a private class action suit. Information can be found HERE.

Vega is also not allowed to host any music festivals for 5 years unless he has secured a performance bond to cover refunds to ticket holders in the event of any cancellation.