Evel Knievel’s Son Sued Over Telemarketing Tactics

Washington was among at least seven states that took legal action Tuesday against a national telemarketing company run by the son of former celebrity motorcycle jumper Evel Knievel.

Lawsuits accuse Las Vegas businessman Kelly Knievel and his company, Western Express Service, of luring senior citizens with promises of grand prizes and then selling them trinkets for thousands of dollars.

In Seattle, a lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court alleges Kelly Knievel and Western Express told consumers they had won a prize such as a car or thousands of dollars, then pressured them into buying products in order to receive the prizes. Many consumers spent thousands for the products only to receive different prizes worth far less than what they were promised, the state attorney general’s office said.

In one case, an Everett resident was told he won a Ford Escort and was sent forms to fill out to select special features for the car. The promised car turned out to be a barbecue that cost the telemarketing company $15, the attorney general’s office said.