Several families accuse a party planner in New Hyde Park of taking deposits and then closing its doors.
Robert Kanowitz, known as Bobby K, is the owner of Dynamic Events - the in-house caterer for Temple Tikvah.
Lisa Hindi, of Plainview, says she signed a contract with Kanowitz's company for her daughter's November Bat Mitzvah, only to find out a few months before the event that Kanowitz had closed up shop without notice and without giving back her $3,500 deposit.
"I couldn't even speak. I was horrified, shocked, upset, crying," says Hindi.
Hindi says she called the temple in July and was told by a woman in the temple office to be patient. She says she never received a call back.
News 12 Long Island found several families who say they are also out money. Two of them say they lost $10,000. Another says they lost $8,000. One more claims to have lost $6,500.
News 12 Long Island tried to get answers from someone at the temple, but was asked to leave the property. No one answered at the home listed to Kanowitz. The phone number for his company has been disconnected.
Hindi says she filed a complaint with the Nassau district attorney and the state attorney general.
The State Attorney General's Office won't confirm whether it's investigating the case. News 12 Long Island is told the office has already received several complaints about Bobby K and Dynamic Events.