MADISON - The Wisconsin Attorney General's Office has agreed to assign a special prosecutor to assist in the investigation and prosecution of Carol's Tours, according to Dodge County District Attorney Bill Bedker.

The Beaver Dam travel agency closed its doors in January 2008 amid a flurry of consumer fraud complaints from customers who had deposited money for trips, vacation packages and other obligations, which they claim were never fulfilled by the travel agency.

"Based upon a number of subpoenas for documents issued through my office in conjunction with the Beaver Dam Police Department, and a series of contacts with Wisconsin State Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection agents, there are reasonable grounds to believe that this case may ultimately affect more than 200 consumers statewide," Bedker said.

"I am pleased that the attorney general's office has agreed that the case meets their criteria for special prosecution. Our office will offer our full support to the attorney general, particularly with respect to victim/witness services," Bedker said.

The attorney general's confirmation letter names Assistant Attorney General Barbara Oswald as special prosecutor. Oswald previously served as a Dodge County special prosecutor in the Moose Balian case, which involved the September 2002 hit-and-run death of Jimmy Gengler in rural Watertown.

Those who feel they have a complaint regarding Carol's Tours and have not previously come forward to report it are still encouraged to contact the  Beaver Dam Police Department by phone at 887-4614, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to file a formal police report or come to the department at the above listed hours.