Harbor Nautilus Faces Charges

In the health club business, one bad apple can really hurt the reputation of Maryland health clubs.  The Maryland attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division said it filed  charges against Harbor Nautilus in Westminster for violating Maryland’s Heath Club law. The charges claim that Harbor Nautilus not only failed to renew its heath club registration with the state of Maryland and continued to sell health club memberships to Maryland consumers, it also charged its own members unauthorized fees.  For anyone that has a little fear of someone taking out there money by EFT, this has to be disconcerting.  The division seeks an order requiring Harbor Nautilus to stop selling heath club memberships services in Maryland unless they have complied with state's registration and bonding requirements and to return payments improperly collected.

Very depressing news for Maryland health clubs in 2009.  Setting aside the worst, essentially stealing money, how do you fail to register your club?  You just fill out a few forms.

This is the part where it is worth remembering these are just allegations, nothing has been proven.  But right now, that does not make the news any less depressing.