Two travel agent operators of tours for school children and religious pilgrims were sentenced to 13 years in prison in San Jose, Calif., after they pleaded guilty to two felony counts.
Key among the 14 charges against Joseph Maloof and Ron Hansen were embezzlement and "failure to provide travel or make refunds."
They were accused of taking in excess of $1.2 million from more than 600 travelers without providing services or refunds. Instead, the state said, they used the money for things like personal vehicles and vacations for family, friends and agency staff.
The agencies were JM Travel Selections and International Grand Tours in California and ITS International Tours in Louisiana.