Elk Grove Wedding Venue Auction Has Couples Scrambling For New Locations
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — A popular Elk Grove wedding venue is scheduled to go up for auction at the end of the month and many couples slated to get married there are just finding out.
The Falls Event Center is also now named in a federal lawsuit for alleged misrepresentation about finances. The venue insists its doors will stay open, but brides and others who have big days at the venue are scrambling to make new plans.
"You want it to be this fairy tale, marrying your best friend and your prince and you don't want to worry about the place. I thought I had found a place," said Megan McCarthy.
In less than five months, she will be marrying the love of her life. On Tuesday she learned on social media the place where she plans to walk down the aisle could be closed.
"What am I gonna do, what am I gonna do? I planned everything around this venue."
The Falls Event Center in Elk Grove will be sold at auction on May 31, according to a notice of trustee's sale. The sale is for a default on a construction deed, not taxes. CBS13 has learned the event center is also behind on its property taxes by nearly $80,000. McCarthy says she's already paid about $4,000 to the venue.
"What kind of business does that?" said McCarthy.
The Falls corporation operates eight event centers across the country, including one in Roseville. It's now being sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly lying to investors about making profits. A federal lawsuit claims the event centers have never been profitable.
Corporate General Manager John Neubauer said in a statement, "We are denying the SEC's allegations that we committed fraud. He went onto say the company has reached a solution to keep the doors open saying, "We are not worried. Our customers should not be either."
"Four-and-a-half months before my wedding, I shouldn't have to worry about this."
A nightmare for the bride-to-be who is now scrambling to salvage her dream wedding.
McCarthy says the company did offer a full refund and says she plans to take it and find a new venue. According to Placer County tax records, The Falls Event Center in Roseville is also delinquent on its 2017 tax bill.
