A Xenia, Ohio flower shop owner accused in a civil lawsuit of scamming customers on their wedding day was arrested after she failed to appear in court.
Desiree Gilliam Pace, owner of Flowers by Des, was booked into the Green County Jail on Wednesday afternoon, jail records show.
Pace allegedly failed to appear at a court hearing in September, according to court records. That hearing was related to a 2019 criminal charge of passing bad checks, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed suit against Pace in September alleging that she 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 the flower shop, 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.
Most customers did not receive a refund from Pace for the canceled service, officials said.
Enquirer reporter Brook Endale contributed.
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