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Civil Trial Begins In Case Against Defunct Pinellas Firm

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By MARK  DOUGLAS | News Channel 8

Published: November 17, 2008

Updated: 11/17/2008 11:48 am

A Pinellas County civil trial has begun in the case of a crane-business owner from Illinois who says Clearwater-based Global Funding LLC promised a heavy equipment lease two years ago and took thousands of dollars as a deposit.

Business owner Marty Vogel says Global Funding never gave him a lease and did not return his money. Vogel's attorney is trying to convince a six member jury that Global Funding breached the contract and committed "fraud by inducement" against Vogel.

At least 45 similar complaints made by customers of the Clearwater-based financial company are under investigation by the Florida attorney general. Three other government agencies are investigating the company's business practices.

In his lawsuit, Marty Vogel, who does business as "The Crane Guy" in Peoria, Ill., says he sent a check for $4,183.46 to Global Funding LLC in February 2006 expecting to get heavy equipment. He is suing Global for damages that are said to exceed $15,000.

A publicist for Global Funding LLC says the company is out of business and trying to settle pending accounts.

Reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (727) 536-9603 or mdouglas@wfla.com.

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