Regulators Close Travel Company

A travel company operating in 30 states and the District of Columbia has been shut down by federal regulators who accused it of making false promises to would-be agents.

The Federal Trade Commission obtained a court order freezing the assets of World Class Network in Irvine, Calif., and its World Class Travel affiliate in Calabasas, Calif.

World Class lawyers tried unsuccessfully Tuesday to have a federal judge in Santa Ana, Calif., overturn the order, issued last week by the FTC.

World Class agents, known as distributors, helped the company book about $5 million of travel business a month, said distributor Kevin Blackburn.

The FTC’s complaint accused the company of failing to keep promises that distributors would receive upgrades and discounts on their own travel accommodations.