GREENE COUNTY — The state has won its case against a Greene County florist who ripped off nearly 50 brides.
Last July, brides started telling News Center 7 about how Desiree Pace canceled last minute or no-showed on their wedding days. The state says it’s time to pay up.
>> ‘One of the most important pieces’ Brides say local florist ripped them off right before weddings
A judge says Pace has to pay $104,000 to people she ripped off.
This stems from a civil case the Ohio Attorney General’s Office opened in September, saying pace owed 48 people money.
People like Elizabeth Seitz, who told News Center 7 in January she booked with Pace in November 2019 for her June 2021 wedding, thinking she was taking advantage of a 60 percent off sale.
“It was very stressful,” Seitz said.
She decided to cancel on Pace and go with another florist four days before her wedding after she said she heard Pace had canceled on several other brides right before their big days, sometimes the day of.
These are stories that line up with what other brides have been telling the I-Team for almost a year.
>> I-TEAM: Greene Co. Sheriff investigating florist who brides say ripped them off
In September, News Center 7 reported Attorney General Dave Yost’s office filed a civil lawsuit against Pace.
“Goodness gracious, a wedding day is supposed to be all about true love, but there ain’t no love here,” Yost said.
In May, the I-Team has learned a Greene County common pleas court judge sided with the state.
Saying Pace “convinced at least 48 consumers to make payments in exchange for goods and services that were never delivered. she refused to make refunds to consumers and has ignored attempts to address their concerns.”
The victims, in this case, will get anywhere from about $100,000 in restitution to more than $300,000
News Center 7 has reached out to the AG’s office to see if Pace has paid up yet because she is past her deadline.
A spokesperson for the AG’s office said she was referred to collections.
We will continue updating this story as we learn more.