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Customers and charity say EatWorkPlay still owes money

EatWorkPlay is a popular experience for like-minded young professionals around Charlotte.

Last month, Action 9's Jason Stoogenke reported that there were accusations that the group raised thousands of dollars for charity but never turned over the money.

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County said EWP raised $10,000 for it last fall but didn't pass along the money.

Last month. EWP posted on Instagram that there was an oversight and that it went ahead and paid the charity.

Smart Start told Stoogenke EWP's founder donated $250 instead of $10,000.

EWP planned to hold a gala last month with a "Charlotte and the Chocolate Factory" theme, but the group postponed the event and many people who bought tickets were caught by surprise.

EWP promised customers refunds and gave them a link to use, but many people said they haven't gotten money back.

Action 9 heard a vendor, Podblast Charlotte, also felt slighted by EWP.

Two women started Podblast Charlotte, and they turned a 1960s camper into a recording studio to record podcasts.

The women planned to attend the gala and do business there and had various artists decorate the camper with the event's theme. Six of the artists were to live paint the rest of the mural at the gala.​

"It was devastating for all of us, because so much energy, so much excitement, so much money, so much, all of it coming together around this thing that we were very proud to be a part of and it was devastating," Lisa Heffler said.

EWP's organizer said one reason he had to postpone the event was an issue with a catering vendor, but he didn't give any details.

Action 9 figured out the caterer was Best Impressions.

Stoogenke asked Best Impressions what the issue was. It said EWP never signed a contract.

Action 9 sent EWP emails every week since the initial Action 9 report aired and no one responded.