A travel agency well known for booking Disney vacations has recently been the subject of multiple news reports after Disney ended its relationship with the company. There is now new reporting about allegations made by travel agents working at this agency.
We have been monitoring the broader media coverage surrounding these developments, and the latest reporting centers on allegations from former employees regarding withheld commissions. At Mickey Visit, we report on recent Disney news including the closing date for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and menu changes at Disneyland. See details on a hotel near Disneyland completing a big refurbishment. There are now also allegations against the agency from a client.
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Travel Agency CEO Accused of Withholding Commissions
Smart Moms Travel, a nationwide travel agency, has made headlines following media reports that include allegations of wrongful termination and withheld commissions from former and current employees. Disney terminated its relationship with Smart Moms Travel previously.
Disney previously shared this statement with NBC Connecticut about the situation: “Based on concerns we have received regarding changes to Smart Moms Travel’s business practices, we have exercised our right to terminate our Authorized Disney Vacation Planner designation agreement with the agency”. See our initial summary of this controversy.
After Disney shared that statement, the CEO of Smart Moms Travel, Lauralyn “LJ” Johnson, spoke to NBC Connecticut over Zoom. We cover that conversation with the news outlet here.
According to a new report from NBC Connecticut, current employees are accusing Smart Moms Travel of withholding their commissions.
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Two current employees, Ashton Chinault and Kathleen Wright, told NBC Connecticut that they have not resigned, have not been terminated, and were not paid in November for previous months’ commissions. Chinault told the news outlet, “I’ve been doing this full time for four years, and I had to just put my big girl pants on and make some really quick decisions. I am currently working seasonally at Target. It’s not even a fraction of what I’m owed. I’m trying at this point to just cover my bills. I haven’t bought anything for Christmas.”
According to Chinault, she is owed $3,250 for October and still currently has 145 families with future Disney trips booked. Wright claims she is owed close to $1,000 and is also still working with clients on future Disney trips.
The agents shared a voice recording from CEO Lauralyn “LJ” Johnson with NBC Connecticut that they state was sent through a messaging app to Smart Moms Travel agents on November 29, 2025. The recorded memo says: “I have had to move money from our accounts because ADP had access to our accounts, and those who were stealing had access to our ADP. I’ve had to move millions of dollars around to protect it. I want you to know this: if you were acting in good faith, and if I owe you money, I’m going to pay you. I do not know how to do that. I do not know when I will be doing that, but I will figure that out.”
NBC Connecticut claims they reached out to Johnson twice over the last week and did not receive a response. Wright shared this statement with the news outlet, “LJ, do the right thing. Pay your agents and just put a stop to this, like, you’re the only one who can do this.”
In November, NBC Connecticut interviewed the CEO of Smart Moms Travel and she told the news outlet, “[I] have not yet missed a payroll. I do not owe them any money until the end of the month. I do not plan to run that payroll as planned because of legal situations that are happening.”
But according to NBC Connecticut, as of mid-December, there are 12 travel agents that have shared with them they have not paid their October commissions which “total more than $25,000.”
This story was first reported here by NBC Connecticut.
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