Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: Altering a contract

If the meeting planner was working as your agent, any dealings for the planner's benefit and contrary to your interests are improper, at minimum contract violations and very probably fraud. You would likely win in court.

If the meeting planner was not your agent but merely an intermediary or, perhaps, an agent of the hotel, in order to prove fraud it would also be necessary to show deliberate concealment and, perhaps, show that you were not negligent in failing to read all the terms, including the pricing, on the instrument you signed.

Since you probably have a good case for fraud, including possibly some punitive damages, it could be well worth your while to have a preliminary free conference with a lawyer who has business fraud prosecution experience. This is especially true if a substantial sum is involved or if you suspect this meeting planner may be involved in a pattern of similar fraud with other clients.

I would be pleased to give you such an initial consultation if you are in Northern California.