Nixon obtains order freezing assets of Joplin promoter of canceled Godstock concert, postponed KC tattoo event

December 3, 2007 Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon Release Joplin, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today obtained a temporary restraining order to freeze the assets of a Joplin events promoter who took money from vendors for a Christian music festival that was scheduled for September but then canceled and for a tattoo convention in Kansas City that was scheduled for December but has been postponed. Nixon said the order signed by Jasper County Circuit Judge David Dally also requires Derrick Gates (also known as Derrick Badders) to post a $200,000 bond with the court before advertising or taking money or merchandise for the promotion of any event. Gates and his business, OnFire Productions, had sold concession space for Godstock but failed to provide refunds to vendors after he canceled the event, Nixon said. Four vendors who had paid between $300 and $550 to the defendants for the canceled had contacted the Attorney General's Office. Nixon staff has been investigating those complaints about the Godstock event and recently learned that Gates, using the name Derrick Badders, has been promoting the "Ink Deep Tattoo Convention" in Kansas City under the name of another business, HardNox Productions. "Given Mr. Gates' past pattern and practices, our immediate concern was to ensure that the mechanisms were in place to protect vendors and consumers," Nixon said. "Mr. Gates will have to post a significant assurance bond with the court before he can do any more event promoting or take any more money. The defendants also won't be able to move any assets without the approval of the court." Gates and fellow defendant Zachary Grimm, who also does business as OnFire Productions, must post a $200,000 bond with the court before advertising or taking any money for the promotion, organization and production of any public event. A hearing on Nixon's request for a preliminary injunction against the defendants is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 11. The lawsuit is asking for restitution for anyone harmed through illegal actions of the defendants. "Because information from consumers is vital to our legal actions, I encourage any vendors or other persons who have complaints about any of these promoted events to contact my office," Nixon said. Consumers can file complaints online at ago.mo.gov or can contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com