A San Jose event planner is facing charges after allegedly defrauding multiple families who hired him to organize their daughters’ quinceañeras, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say Juan Martin Gaspar, who also goes by Juan Martin Barcenas, collected thousands of dollars in feesfrom at least seven families but failed to pay vendors involved in the celebrations.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen condemned the alleged scheme, emphasizing the emotional impact:

“A quinceañera is a cherished milestone in a young woman’s life,” Rosen said. “It should be remembered for joy, not betrayal by someone entrusted to make it special.”

Gaspar has been charged with seven felony counts of grand theft and was arraigned last week, prosecutors said. A judge ordered him not to work in event planning while the case proceeds.

Currently free on $100,000 bail, Gaspar is due back in court on December 2 and could face jail time if convicted.

The investigation into Gaspar’s business, “VIP Eventss,” began after media reports and a complaint from a victimprompted prosecutors to take action. Investigators found that between 2023 and 2024, several families discovered—sometimes on the day of the event—that their vendors had not been paid, leaving them to cover unexpected costs.