Complaint Review: Spotlight Amusements

Lazurus Fernandez of Spotlight Amusement's stole money from homeless veterans and refuses to remit any proceeds earned during a festival with him. Round2It Amusements, a small company was mislead and taken advantage of by Spotlight Amusement's owner, Lazurus Fernandez.   The owners first came into contact with Mr. Fernandez at the Strawberry Festival on 4-11-2014. This is where Mr. Fernandez befriended the couple as he liked the idea that Round2it Amusements policy was to donate a portion of it's proceeds to a fund for homeless Veterans.   In retrospect perhaps too friendly.   Fernandez also went out of his way to make it known he was not a "Carnie" and spoke of these types of people with disdain saying they would steal the shirt off your back .    After the festival, Lazurus and owners maintained contact via phone or text. Fernandez asked owners to set up at the First annual Bacon Festival in St. Augustine explaining that he did not want to send a lot of equipment to an "iffy" new festival but it would be OK for Round2It amusement's ride.  At the festival, Tony was running the show for his brother, Lazurus. After owners set up their ride and games, Lazurus, via phone, admitted to owners that the show would not be good but since the couple lives close by they could make some money where Fernandez would loose money. Round2It accepted ride tickets sold by Lazurus's brother.   The festival turned out to be a great success. Round2It's ride being popular with lines to ride it most of the day.   At the end of the day Lazurus informed the couple through his brother Tony that he would "cut them a check on Monday." He also informed the couple that he would be receiving 30% of their profit, with 20 % going to the festival promoter and 10% to himself. Although unhappy with the new conditions of their original agreement of cash for number of tickets at the end of each of event and 20% to Spotlight , the owners continued working as they had made a commitment to be there and collect money for homeless veterans ( a portion of the proceeds). The couple collected $2500.00 in tickets from their ride and games over the course of two days and gave the tickets to Tony as instructed by Lazurus.n   It is now 3 weeks later and no Check has been received.   Lazurus will not return Calls from either owner. Round2It called Spotlight's business number and was told by Lazuruse's girlfriend that the check was sent certified. Round2It asked for specifics and was told she would get back with them.  A week later still no response call. Ironically when Round2It owners spoke to the promoter of the festival, the promoter informed them that Lazurus had never paid him either and his report is on this site as well.   Round2It owners mussed that he never paid the promoter but Lazurus was taking 20% from them for the promoters fee. He took 100% in the end.  There are numerous complaints from different event promoters who have had dealings with Lazurus.  A previous promoter who reported Spotlight on this site said Lazurus cheated them out of money destined to Juvenile Diabetes, and now proceeds for homeless veterans have been taken by Spotlight.   Is Lazurus greedy that he did not foresee a great show that he had to take our money and that for homeless vets.   If you hire Spotlight amusements do you really think you are getting your fair percentage... If you hired them and you think you did better than he told you perhaps you did. This man appears to prey on civic and charitable organizations. I have been in Law Enforcement for 35 years so I have a reasonable eye when spotting a con artist, he beat me. Con men go out of their way to show they are honest, We would like to resolve this and be given our money so we can be able to give some of the proceeds to the Veterans where it belongs . Check the complaints against this man and his company, The Better Business Bureau rates Spotlight as an F.