A New York-area fitness chain is being sued after continuing to charge membership fees despite being shut down amid the spread of the coronavirus.
A customer has filed suit against New York Sports Clubs, claiming that she was charged her normal monthly membership fees even as the facilities were shut down to stop the spread of the coronavirus. As Bloomberg reported, the lawsuit accuses parent company Town Sports International Inc. of making it "virtually impossible" to cancel memberships. The suit, which has been filed as a class action, said that the practice of continuing to charge such fees while clubs are closed is "the height of corporate greed."
"People around the country are feeling enormous financial strain due to 'shelter-in-place' regulations, business closures, abrupt mass layoffs and the recent market collapse," the legal complaint read. "As a result, numerous gyms chains have on their own accord announced that membership charges will be suspended. TSI has not –- and this conduct is the height of corporate greed, lack of empathy and putting profits before people."
The report noted that the company operates close to 100 gyms in the tri-state area. All facilities have been indefinitely closed in accordance with state and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 and due to the New York City area being in virtual lockdown.
