Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has sued a Xenia, Ohio flower shop accused of scamming customers on their wedding day.
The civil lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Greene County Common Pleas Court, states that Desiree Gilliam Pace, owner of Flowers by Des, violated the Consumer Sales Practices Act by accepting money for weddings and other important events but failing to deliver services.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office said they launched an investigation into Flowers by Des, located at 99 Lowell Road, after receiving numerous complaints from customers.
The lawsuit stated Pace required customers to put down a 50% deposit or pay in full before the event day then either canceled the contracts or failed to show up without providing any notice.
Pace forced consumers to scramble for flowers for their weddings or other events at considerable additional cost. Other consumers were left without flowers for their special events, according to the lawsuit.
“Weddings are meant to be a celebration of love, not a chance for a heartless grifter to leave couples empty-handed and upset,” Yost said. “This action won’t take the sting away from that day, but I vow to help these couples get some payback.”
Most customers did not receive a refund from Pace for the canceled service, Yost said.
According to Yost, Pace has been unresponsive to repeated requests by the Consumer Protection Section to pay back her customers.
Yost said he is seeking restitution for at least 48 Ohioans who were scammed out of more than $50,000.
Attempts to reach Pace for comment were unsuccessful.
The Enquirer will update this story when more information becomes available.
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