UPDATE: Attorney General files lawsuit against Gold’s Gym owner

June 6, 2014 2:57 pm

By Alana Cerrone

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has filed a civil lawsuit against the former Gold’s Gym in North Providence, and its owner.

The Attorney General says David Walker and Gable Fitness, Inc d/b/a Gold’s Gym, violated Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Rhode Island Health Club Act.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Providence County Superior Court. Walker has 20 days to respond to the complaint.

Walker closed his North Providence location in April. Upon closing, Walker told the Attorney General’s Office that his customers could utilize their membership at his Warwick location.

Then, in May, Walker sold his Warwick location to Anthony Moretti, who renamed it Global Gym. Customers there began complaining of being charged “maintenance fees” to utilize their existing memberships.

The Attorney General’s office received more than 140 complaints from gym members who allege that Walker solicited and accepted membership fees for services that could not, and would not, be provided, which is in violation of the Rhode Island Health Club Act. Additionally, it is alleged that Walker’s actions have caused compensable losses to members, in violation of the Rhode Island Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Walker was previously ordered to answer questions related to the consumer complaints, after which the Attorney General determined the best course of action was to file these civil actions.

If there are consumers who were members of Gold’s Gym and believes they are entitled to a refund, they should file a consumer complaint with the Consumer Protection Unit of the Office of Attorney General at http://www.riag.ri.gov/contact/consumercomplaint.php.