Missing Promoter Caught

A Michigan concert promoter who disappeared June 8 leaving behind major debts owed to angry investors for the failed Bike ’N’ Roll Fest was arrested by state police June 29.

Ben Shawa, CEO of the now-defunct Rivertown Live, was discovered by a Michigan state trooper sleeping in his car at a rest stop, according to WOOD-TV. Police said Shawa gave a fake name initially but his real identity was soon discovered.

The would-be promoter is also wanted for a parole violation on a 2004 grand theft conviction in Florida. The conviction was for bilking investors out of $100,000 and Shawa violated his parole when he stopped making court-ordered restitution payments to Florida.

Shawa is being held in the Ingham County Jail while awaiting extradition, WOOD-TV said.