Knoxville, TN - Doug White, co-owner of Marble City Market, has accused Paul Moody, former manager of the food hall, and his wife Ashley of embezzling over $190,000.
The Moodys, renowned for their SmashCity burger restaurants, assumed management of Marble City Market in 2022. However, their time overseeing the market was short-lived, and they left in June 2023. This followed a period of instability for the market, which had previously parted ways with its original manager, Hospitality HQ, due to disagreements with vendors.
According to a police report filed by White in July 2023, Paul Moody is accused of various unauthorized transactions, which include:
White, the co-owner, has been proactive in addressing the situation, providing the police with documentation of the alleged fraudulent activity. The Moodys have been charged with theft exceeding $250,000, a Class A felony in Tennessee, and their court date is set for October 8th.
In response to inquiries, Paul Moody did not provide any comment, and the ownership group of Marble City Market also declined to comment.
These embezzlement allegations add to the ongoing challenges faced by Marble City Market. The food hall has experienced significant turnover in both management and vendors in recent years, a history that the public should be aware of.