Story Published:
May 26, 2001 at 9:43 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 30, 2006 at 11:33 PM PDT
SEA-TAC - If someone told you they could get you free electricity, you'd probably listen, right?
Of course, it's impossible. But, in the middle of this energy crisis, it sounded good to Sea-Tac resident Dan Burrington.
"I thought it was a good idea," he said.
A friend told him about an inventor named Dennis Lee. Lee's New Jersey-based company, International Tesla Electric, claims it has a revolutionary generator that makes free energy.
"They will install the generator. They will maintain maintenance, and you can have all the free electricity you want. Sounds good?" said Burrington.
Too good.
"Once it gets going, it will generate more electricity than it takes the motor to drive it. Basically perpetual motion," adds Burrington.
'This Is Clearly A Scam'
Washington Better Business Bureau's Angela McCrea has a different take.
"It would be breaking some very important rules of physics and thermodynamics," she said. "This is clearly a scam."
McCrea says Lee travels the country selling certificates entitling you to a generator. Dan's cost $13, but others have paid $275, or more.
Lee claims he needs to get 1,600,000 people signed up before he can start giving out the generators. So, no one has actually seen the machine in person.
"Really this is all about money about Dennis Lee taking money from consumers," said McCrea
State law enforcement is already familiar with Lee's claims. In the past two decades, he's had run-ins with the law in at least five states, including Washington.
In 1985, he violated Washington's consumer laws and was fined $31,000. McCrea says he never paid up.
Save It For Your Real Power Bill
The Seattle Better Business Bureau is certain Lee is doing marketing here in the state. The office just got a call from one Seattle man who was planning on investing $25,000 in the generator. Luckily, he didn't make the investment.
KOMO 4 News tried contacting International Tesla but weren't able to reach anyone.
"We think he's back," says McCrea. This time he's using our energy crisis as a hook.
Dan Burrington has a better suggestion for your money: save it for your electric bill.
"You're going to need it!"
For More Information
Alert from Better Business Bureau of Phoenix -- www.mb.bbb.org
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