Yuma, AZ--A local chef said business has slowed down due to AEA fraud scandal and clarifies the misconceptions customers may have regarding the business he works in.
Jay Walker, head chef of the Z Fun Factory said business has been coming to a halt ever since the AEA fraud trial has been followed closely by the media.
"We weren't overly totally crammed to the gills but we had a pretty decent lunch crowd then when all the stories started with the trials and stuff...and if you walked in right now its pretty empty in there," Walker said.
He said some of the reasons these tables are empty is because some customers are a little worried about supporting the wrong people.
"They were actually verbally saying you know were a little worried coming in here today because we want to support our community but we don't want to come in here and spend our money at your place knowing the money we spent is going to quote "bad people"," Walker said.
Walker wants customers to know that the Z Fun Factory has nothing to do with Yuma businessman Frank Ruiz, who formerly owned the family fun center.
He also said Bill Liddle, former vice president of business lending for AEA- who allegedly authorized more than $25milllion dollars in suspicious loans to Ruiz, is also not affiliated with the new business.
"That is the old regime, the old people everything here now is all new, your money is going to very good people," he said.
Walker says he hopes customers understand Brice and Becky Zeller are the new owners.
"The old Yuma Fun Factory is the old Yuma Fun Factory. We are now the Z Fun Factory with new owners," he said. "With just a whole new set of goals and philosophy on how this place is going to be run."
