DOWNTOWN — What does the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce have in common with Fox News host Glenn Beck?
Both, it turns out, have been sponsored by the company Goldline International, a locally-based seller of gold coins that is under investigation by the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office and county prosecutors for allegedly misleading and defrauding customers.
Goldline, the company announced this month, is one of four principal sponsors of the chamber’s “State of the City” event, which is set to take place on Thursday morning at the Broad Stage.
Goldline made headlines last year when Adam Radinsky, who heads the consumer protection unit in the City Attorney’s Office, revealed he was investigating complaints the company allegedly misled customers into buying gold coins and never delivered coins other customers had paid for.
The investigation into the company’s practices gained national media attention in part because Goldline has been a prominent advertiser on the Fox News program hosted by Beck, who himself frequently touts the wisdom of investing in gold.
“As a part of the Santa Monica business community for many years, we are proud to help support the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce in presenting this prominent community event,” Goldline CEO Scott Carter said in a statement announcing the sponsorship arrangement.
“We can’t imagine a better place to do business than Santa Monica, and the year ahead looks to be one of strong growth and recovery for our city,” Robert J. Fazio, the company’s president, added.
At the Chamber of Commerce, leaders were not willing to discuss Goldline’s sponsorship.
In response to inquiries from the Daily Press, Laurel Rosen, the organization’s president and CEO, sent a brief statement that read: “The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce provides each and every one of its 900 members with sponsorship opportunities that help promote and enhance community partnerships.”
At City Hall, Radinsky declined to comment on Goldline’s participation in Thursday’s event or on the ongoing investigation, which has not resulted in legal action against the company.
City Hall attorneys and the L.A. County District Attorney’s office, though, have jointly sued another Santa Monica-based gold company, Superior Gold Group — which also happens to be a Glenn Beck advertiser. Last month, a judge froze Superior Gold’s assets and ordered that the company be placed in a receivership.
The other three main stage sponsors for the chamber’s event on Thursday are The Water Garden, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and the Bayside District Corp.
The Chamber of Commerce’s website on Tuesday listed Goldline as one of 20 sponsors for the event, including the Santa Monica Daily Press.
The event will feature Santa Monica City Manager Rod Gould and Brad Cox, chair of the Santa Monica Alliance, a collaborative effort to attract more businesses to Santa Monica. Local business owners will also be on hand to talk about how they are surviving and thriving in the city by the sea.
For more information and tickets visit online at SMChamber.com.
nickt@www.smdp.com
