Bolaris sues American Express
Fox 29's chief meteorologist, John Bolaris, 53, is suing American Express in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, claiming that the credit card company refuses to clear more than $43,000 worth of fraudulent charges made on his card by a group of con artists in Miami who have since been arrested by the FBI.
Bolaris' Center City lawyer, Richard L. DeSipio, says AmEx, which offers fraud protection services, should have called to check with Bolaris when more than $43,000 was charged on his card at the Caviar Bar in Miami over a 21/2-hour period spread over two nights.
DeSipio says AmEx wasn't suspicious even after it was sent copies of the receipts itemizing "outrageous charges [including several] $2,000 charges for bottles of $400 champagne."
Adds DeSipio, "You have to be an absolute idiot not to see there was something wrong."
DeSipio says Bolaris was incensed that AmEx still refused to acknowledge the charges were fraudulent after several people who operated the Caviar Bar were arrested by the FBI on charges of defrauding the TV journalist and dozens of other cardholders.
Bolaris' suit seeks restoration of the $43,000 and unspecified damages. Calls to American Express for comment were not returned by deadline.
Loves jewels, hates bills?
Newt Gingrich, who last week signed up to compete in next year's race for the presidency (or was it The Amazing Race?), won't have Tiffany's vote.
Politico.com reports that the former House Speaker and Fox News pundit and his wife, Callista Gingrich, had a $500,000 debt on their Tiffany's revolving charge account (store credit card) in 2005 and 2006.
Worse, they may still owe some or all of it. Gingrich's rep declined to comment to Politico.
