JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly two months after the I-TEAM uncovered a nationwide travel scandal centered on a Jacksonville man, state regulators have increased the fine he faces for operating as a travel agent without a license.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has now received a total of 75 complaints against Juan Arteaga. The complaints accuse him of taking a total of $432,556 from people across the country to purchase plane tickets, hotels, cruises and other vacation packages without booking the trips as promised or returning their money.
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In January, FDACS, which regulates the state's travel industry, filed an administrative complaint against Arteaga for conducting business as a seller of travel without having a license from the state. The complaint carried a $1,000 fine. The I-TEAM has now learned the state has entered a final order in the case, and the fine has increased to $5,000.
In addition, the office of Attorney General Ashley Moody confirms it has received 11 complaints about Arteaga that are currently under review.
To file complaints against Juan Arteaga:
- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Office of Attorney General
- FBI: Call 1-800-CALL-FBI
The I-TEAM has been looking for Arteaga to get his side of the story, but when we finally found him inside the garage of a Fort Caroline home -- the same home that he sold in a deed in lieu of foreclosure transaction -- Arteaga refused to answer any of our questions and closed the garage door.