Thirteen people appeared Thursday before Judge Michaela Murphy in a Kennebec County Superior court to testify how caterer Bethany Gregory took their money and gave them little or nothing in return.

One by one, they recounted how Gregory — using the business names Simply Catered By Bethany and Vistas and Vows — collected more than $145,000 to cater their wedding or vow renewal celebration, and either did not show up, canceled, or provided substandard food and service in breach of their contracts.

As a result of the hearing, Gregory will no longer be able to work as a caterer in Maine. However, because of her financial situation, the judge said, it’s unlikely the parties who lost money will ever be made whole.

Gregory did not appear at the hearing and did not provide any defense, with the judge calling the evidence presented “completely uncontested and overwhelming.”

The dollar amounts for seven additional complainants were not revealed in court, but were submitted to the court as evidence.

Only one bride — Kayla Cannon — was able to collect a refund of $4,000 from Gregory, out of a total bill of $22,963. Three others received partial refunds from their credit cards, totaling $11,154.

In an email exchange Monday, Cannon said she and her husband are still hoping to get back some of the $18,000 they lost to Gregory. “Though it’s unlikely, it would be nice,” she wrote.

Seven of the complainants testified that Gregory either canceled on them at the last minute or did not show up, forcing them to pay for another caterer in addition to the money they paid her.

Assistant Attorney General Ben Dexter told the court he had 20 witnesses who filed formal complaints with the Office of Consumer Protection willing to testify, but that one had dropped out and several others could not make the hearing, which was postponed twice.

Maine residents who filed complaints against Gregory had to appear in person; out-of-state complainants had the option to testify via Zoom.

In total, 54 people filed complaints against Gregory with the Office of the Maine Attorney General between 2024 and June 2 of this year. It is unknown how many people lost money or how much in total was collected by Gregory.

A private Facebook group with about 500 members has shared stories, contacts, images and information about Gregory and their experiences with her. Many have written posts about their chargeback requests to credit card companies being rejected — due to time limitations on chargebacks.

Allura Morneau is out over $6,500 after Gregory canceled three weeks before Morneau’s planned wedding in September 2025, citing a conflict with the venue owner.

“I wound up being one of the more fortunate victims, because I was able to get a decent caterer last minute rather than deal with her and her subpar food on the day of the event,” Morneau wrote in a message exchange after the hearing.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked to hear that one mother gave her $33,000 for two meals, and had to help prep and serve the food,” Morneau added, referring to Patricia Bowman, who testified Gregory sent two people in an unrefrigerated U-Haul to prepare and serve 160 guests.

Bowman also testified the crew was two hours late, did not have enough food to serve the guests and that some of the food was from BJ’s Wholesale Club. Brunch the next day was not much better, she said.

“I am really glad it’s over,” Morneau wrote. “I am skeptical I will ever see a penny, but I was fighting for the principal of the matter, and for closure at this point.”

Asked for a total amount the state was seeking in restitution, Dexter told Murphy that the state doesn’t believe there will be any collection available for victims because Gregory had left the state, had no assets they were able to determine, and had a large federal tax lien.

Dexter asked the judge for injunctive relief under the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act to prevent Gregory from operating as a caterer in Maine, which the judge stated she would grant. The state is also seeking $20,000 in civil penalties plus interest, in case any assets were to be found.

“I wish there was something more that the system could offer you,” Murphy told the court. “But I just want to be candid with you that if she has no assets, the state is in a very difficult position. And the court can sign any order, but if there’s nothing to collect it’s a very difficult and sometimes futile endeavor.”