CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit on Tuesday against a Sycamore company that traveled the country selling saunas at local home shows and festivals but allegedly failed to deliver the saunas.

The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court against Garrett Michaels Investment Services Inc., doing business as Saunas Today, Infrared Heat Consultants and Extreme Recreation, and its president, Gary Thornton of DeKalb.

"We've received dozens of complaints from consumers who lost thousands of dollars in down payments," Madigan said. "This case should remind consumers how important it is to ask for references and check out a company's standing before making a major purchase."

The company allegedly delivered saunas months after the promised delivery date if they were delivered at all. Consumers who attempted to cancel orders were hit with cancellation fees. In addition, the company allegedly failed to refund consumers' deposits for delivered saunas.

Twenty-three consumers living in Lake, Cook and Kane counties filed complaints against the business with Coakley's office, with total losses of more than $23,000.

Madigan is requesting that the court cancel pending contracts with consumers, impose civil penalties on the defendants and obtain restitution for affected consumers. In addition, the lawsuit seeks an enjoinment to prevent the company from future unfair business practices.