The story of a South Florida private school that failed to pay two bus companies. Now more and more companies are saying they are not paying salaries to schools either. Tonight on 7 Investigates, 7’s Heather Walker brings you the latest.
The bus business is a big part of Sebastian’s past and future.
Sebastian Allegoses, Signature Bass: “Since my dad’s time, for the last 20, 25 years, he’s been doing it. And now it’s my turn.”
Sebastian Arregoces runs a charter bus company called Signature Buses.
He hopes to one day expand from eight buses to a larger fleet.
However, a bad trade cost him thousands of dollars.
Sebastian Allegoses: “It was about $4,000.”
In March 2023, Sebastian announced that his company had been hired by Delvin King, principal of Youth Under Construction Youth Center in Pompano Beach.
King wanted a bus to take students on college tours in Tallahassee.
Sebastian received the $4,000 he was owed on the day of his trip, but a problem arose.
Sebastian Allegoses: “A few days later, the bank informed me that there was insufficient funds in my account and that they were transferring the funds from my account back to him.”
Sebastian said Dr. King gave him plenty of excuses to load onto the bus.
Sebastian Allegoses: “He just gave me the basic excuse that he must have given me the wrong account, and then he never gave me another account to try to use. I called him. He didn’t answer, so I texted him and emailed him.”
Sebastian isn’t the only one trying to get money from the king.
Back in August, 7Investigates discovered two other charter bus companies that King had not paid.
Barrington Samuels: “Over $16,000.”
At the time, King blamed the management company that pays the school’s tuition.
Delvin King, Youth Under Construction Youth Center: “I signed the purchase order. The management company has to pay the transportation company. But they never paid the company, so… , this was a huge mismanagement.”
King told 7Investigate that companies will receive the funds “by August 23, 2024.”
That never happened.
Donna Mullins: “I’m disappointed, very disappointed.”
After our article aired, we were contacted by Phoenix Golf Cars in Pompano Beach.
The school leased a golf cart from here in May.
Mr. King’s first month’s credit card payment has been approved. However, after the second month, I was refused.
Christian Santos, President, Phoenix Golf Cars: “Then when we tried to contact him, it was very difficult to find him. We sent a lot of emails and phone calls.”
The company’s president, Christian Santos, said she went to school and brought the golf cart home. It is damaged and will be expensive to repair.
Christian Santos: “About $6,500.”
Phoenix Golf Cars sued King and won.
He had until Nov. 25 to pay $6,515.50.
Christian is still waiting for money.
Christian Santos: “And we keep sending emails.”
7 Investigators returned to the address where we last saw King.
He was not there and was told that the school had recently moved out of that building.
Mr. King did not respond to our calls, but we received an email from the school that read: “The majority of this debt has been resolved or is in the process of being resolved. We will contact the principal at a later date when he returns to his office and respond to media requests.”
Christian Santos: “I have one question: Why doesn’t anyone stop him?”
Five other bus companies also told 7Investigate they owe money.
Some people have filed complaints with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Sebastian isn’t sure if he wants to go down that path.
He’s too busy trying to make up for his $4,000 loss.
Sebastian Allegoses: “This is equivalent to two months of insurance, two to three months of insurance, on these buses. It certainly hurts, especially since I make lame excuses. I won’t try to reply.”
He hopes to be able to recover the money he owes without going to court.
Heather Walker, 7News.
Contact 7 investigates:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
[email protected]
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