Oceanway woman accused of scamming local business people

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An Oceanway woman is accused of scamming several local business people out of their money right before the holidays.

Carmen Paugh gave her accusers’ money back hours after Action News Jax showed up at her home asking questions, after weeks went by with no refunds.

Paugh told people that she was organizing a “Christmas Extravaganza” at the Northside Lions Club where local business people could rent tables and sell their products.

Paugh canceled two days before the event, blaming a fire at the venue that never happened.

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“It’s disgusting. And it’s right before Christmas. We all have kids. We all have to buy presents. It’s just disgraceful,” said Ashley Dixon, one of about 25 vendors who paid Paugh $25 on PayPal to rent a table.

Dixon sells wickless warmers from Scentsy and said she spent $300 ordering new inventory for the event.

“I have three boys. They’re expensive. So I was really looking forward to it. So yeah, it’s a kick in the wallet,” said Dixon.

“I’m in the process of paying them today,” said Paugh. “I used it (the vendors’ money) to the pay the vendor spot, and then the lady never paid me back.”

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The woman to whom Paugh was referring is Carolyn Johnson, who owns the Lions Club building.

Johnson said she never got that money.

“No, I never even received a deposit,” said Johnson.

Johnson also said Paugh’s claim that she had to cancel because of a fire this month in the kitchen and bathroom is false.

“No, there was no fire here. We did have a little vandalism a year ago this past May,” said Johnson.

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A fire marshal report from May 2015 said a shed on the side of the building caught fire.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that firefighters did not respond to a fire there this month.

“That’s – I don’t know what to say,” said Paugh.

She goes by multiple names on social media: Carmen Paugh, Carmen Vaughan and Carmen Foe. If you see a post from any of those names, it’s likely coming from the same person, authorities said.

Cox Media Group