The driving force behind the Soulard Oktoberfest is due in court soon to answer charges that he has refused to pay more than $57,000 in credit-card charges.

In a suit filed Dec. 22, 2012, American Express Bank claims that John R. McKinstry Jr. owes the company $57,666 on three credit cards issued to McKinstry and the Soulard Oktoberfest Benevolent Association.

A trial is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 1 in front of St. Louis Circuit Judge Margaret Mary Neill.

In February 2013, McKinstry filed a counter-claim, saying the company engaged in unfair business practices and acted in "bad faith."

The dispute stems from the purchase of airline tickets for members of a band set to perform at Oktoberfest, according to a July 2011 letter entered into the court file by Natalia Dronova McKinstry, John McKinstry's wife and attorney.

The letter states that John McKinstry had to wait one day before using an American Express card to buy the tickets. The one-day delay was caused by McKinstry having to transfer funds to his American Express account in order to increase his credit line and cover the ticket purchase.