ANOKA, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's attorney general is suing a carnival company based in Anoka, saying it collected down payments from some local fair organizers but failed to show up with the rides, games and concessions as promised.

Attorney General Lori Swanson said Wednesday county and community fairs throughout the state paid Minnesota's Magic Midway, Inc. up to $8,500 in down payments to run their carnivals. Swanson says the company, also known as E.A.R. Carnival Company, owned by Edward Reinke, of Anoka, failed to show up on a number of occasions, but kept the money.

In one example, the state alleges the company pulled out of a contract to run the Fillmore County Fair last year, but never refunded a $2,000 payment.

Reinke's attorney says he hasn't met with his client yet and declined comment.

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