On Monday, a New York high school singing group was expecting to be on its way to Cuba. Instead, the students are each out a reported $2,700, the latest left stranded by Kennesaw-based Harmony International.
As the AJC reported earlier this month, families of band students at four California high schools said they were out as much as $140,000 they paid for tours to Japan. Now, a New York TV station is reporting that 35 members of a chorale group are owed an estimated $94,500 they paid for the Cuba trip.
The group was reportedly promised refunds, which have not come.
Also left stranded by Harmony International are a chorale group in Ohio and other music groups in various cities, according to the news report.
Harmony International, also known as MFPI Group, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy May 17. It estimated assets of no more than $50,000, but liabilities of from $1 million to $10 million, court records signed by President Bradley R. Matheson show.
Notices of the bankruptcies were sent to band and music teachers and other creditors throughout the country, including those in Texas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Florida and California. The company's website has been taken down and now lists only the email address for an attorney, orcuttlawoffices@gmail.com.
Credit: Lois Norder
Credit: Lois Norder
The bankruptcy filing lists a Key West, Florida address for Matheson, who previously lived in Atlanta. Matheson also is listed as operating
and
.
IRS records show Matheson also was the founder and is a past president of Global Missions Project in Kennesaw, a religious charity that arranges music mission trips around the world. He is no longer listed as an official with the charity.
