....Circus can’t slip N.D. rules....

By REBECCA BEITSCH Bismarck Tribune | Posted: Friday, May 28, 2010 11:43 am

The circus need not come to town. Especially if you owe the town money.

Earlier this week Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem went all “oh no you didn’t” on a circus that promised a couple towns it would share their ticket profits with them.

“It’s extremely disappointing that after Park River and Grafton welcomed the circus and its performers to their communities with typical North Dakota hospitality, the circus took advantage of this trust and stiffed them,” Stenehjem said in a statement. “In one instance, the circus slipped out of town in the middle of the night without paying the agreed ticket proceeds.”

After being unable to get any money from the company, the Great American Circus of the Stars has been slapped with a cease and desist order, which means they can no longer do business in North Dakota.

The dark of the night can only conceal the trail of clowns, elephants and others for so long.