Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Apr. 6 that her office has reached an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Alicia Thompson, owner of Late to the Lake, LLC, a Michigan-based catering company. The agreement resolves allegations that the business engaged in deceptive and unlawful practices under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act.
The matter is significant because more than 40 complaints were filed by consumers who said their weddings were affected by last-minute cancellations and failure to receive refunds from Late to the Lake. According to one complaint, a consumer paid over $6,000 for catering services that were canceled without reimbursement. Other customers reported being pressured into paying in full for discounted pricing only to have services canceled at critical moments or discovered unauthorized charges after cancellations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Thompson is barred from providing catering services in Michigan for five years and must refund all qualifying consumers who submitted complaints with the Department of Attorney General by May 1. Refunds are required to be issued by July 1. “A wedding is one of the most meaningful days of a person’s life, and couples should be able to trust that their chosen vendor will deliver what they promised or at the very least refund them when something goes wrong,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I am proud of my Consumer Protection Team for holding this caterer accountable and encourage those who believe they were impacted by Late to the Lake to file a complaint with my office by May 1 to ensure they receive a refund.”
Consumers seeking refunds are encouraged to contact the Department’s Consumer Protection Team before May 1 through mail or online forms provided in official communications.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations according to its official website. The department also focuses on serving residents through public service initiatives and protection measures according to its official website. Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to its official website.
The department exercises authority throughout Michigan aimed at safeguarding residents according to its official website, including influencing policy such as drafting expungement opportunities under the Clean Slate law in 2019 according to its official website. It operates statewide with authority focused on resident protection according to its official website.