TOLEDO, Ohio — Three women are accusing the owner of a Toledo event planning company of stealing thousands of dollars from them.
Porsche Williams, Shirreatha Porter and LaSheena Stenson have filed civil suits against Alicia Owens, owner of Over The Top Occasions LLC. Stenson and Williams have also filed complaints with the Toledo Police Department, too.
TPD confirmed to WTOL 11 that it has two open investigations into their allegations.
Before September of 2022, Williams said Owens had been a trustworthy event planner and that she was unaware of any business failings.
"She did my bridal shower, my engagement party, she did my husband's 40th birthday party, my son's graduation party. So, that right there was completely out of the norm," Williams said.
She said together with her husband, the pair paid Owens more than $15,000 to plan their wedding in September and that they signed contracts nearly two years before.
But when the big day arrived, cracks began to show.
The wedding and reception venue had issues, the DJ had not been paid properly and the photographer wasn't even the agreed-upon person. Williams said they went through with the wedding, but that nothing from their agreed-upon contract seemed to be present.
"When I talked to the lawyer basically the contract that Alicia is passing out is a fraud contract. It's not even a real contract," Williams said.
Williams would prefer if the full $15,000 was refunded since she didn't get the wedding she paid for, but she'll settle for $6,000.
She also said she still has not received the wedding photos or videos she paid for.
In December of 2023, Porter said she signed a contract with Owens for a private event she wanted to host at the Over The Top Occasions venue on Dorr Street.
Like Williams, Porter paid her money for the venue, alcohol and other things for her specific date in May of 2024. Owens took hundreds of dollars from Porter and promised everything would be ready for her event. But on the day of the event, Porter learned nothing was ready just hours before her guests were set to arrive.
Porter said Owens told her, "Everything is fine, everything is set up. The liquor is there, we're good to go.' Then (at) two o'clock she called me, 'We have an issue.' I'm like what type of issue? She's like, 'I can't get in the hall.'"
The landlord of the space that Over The Top Occasions occupies told WTOL 11 that Owens had been lawfully evicted since December of 2023, saying she was behind more than thousands of dollars in back rent and he couldn't take her excuses anymore. Therefore, any events that have been scheduled in 2024 couldn't happen. He said anyone who has dealt with Over The Top Occasions LLC in terms of events can call him if you need help with legal details at 248-227-9101.
Porter did end up hosting her event, just not at Owens' venue and without a refund.
"I lost $1,700 for the venue, but over $2,000 altogether I had to put out to get everything back together," Porter said.
She posted her experience with Owens on social media to warn others.
Stenson saw that post and became worried since she considers Owens a long-time friend.
"Her son calls me mom. My son calls her mom. I would have never thought this," Stenson said.
She said Owens reached out to her, asking to help plan her wedding for August of 2024.
"Please tell me this stuff is not true ... we're 80 days till my wedding. Please tell me this is not true." Stenson said. "Altogether, I am out $1,875."
Since only recently learning there is no wedding venue and all the money given to Owens is now gone, Stenson turned to social media for help.
She's grateful for donations and suggestions from people on how to still have her wedding be a success in less than 80 days and hopes others who have paid Owens will come forward and go to the police.