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TRENTON – Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that the owner of Celebration Studios, a now defunct Chester-based wedding photograph company, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a theft charge for failing to pay photographers he hired, state Attorney General Anne Milgram announced.
In addition, the company pleaded guilty to theft for failing to deliver photographs, photo albums and videos to thousands of customers.
According to Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni, Marc S. Schwartz, 47, of Randolph, pleaded guilty to theft of services before state Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto in Morris County. The charge was contained in an accusation filed by Deputy Attorney General Marysol Rosero of the Division of Criminal Justice Major Crimes Bureau.
Under the plea agreement, Schwartz must pay $75,000 in restitution to eight photographers, and the state will recommend that he be sentenced to one year of probation. In pleading guilty, Schwartz admitted that he hired the photographers to take photos and videos for Celebration Studios and failed to pay.In addition, a plea was entered Tuesday on behalf of the corporate defendant, Celebration Studios, to a charge of theft. The company, through its attorney, admitted that it engaged in theft and fraudulent business practices by entering into contracts with customers and receiving money for wedding photography services and products that were paid for, but not delivered.
"We took swift legal action through the Division of Consumer Affairs to ensure that any photos and videos that were in the possession of Celebration Studios were secured for the affected couples," Milgram said. "With today's pleas, we hold the company and its owner accountable under our criminal code for the way that they conducted business."
The state Division of Consumer Affairs obtained a final judgment on July 17 against Schwartz and Celebration Studios that provides for $855,618 in consumer restitution, $1,836,000 in civil penalties, and $383,684 for reimbursement of the state's attorneys' fees and investigative costs.
Under its plea agreement, the company must execute a consent judgment for the same amount of restitution. At present, neither defendant has any assets to satisfy the judgments.
The Division of Consumer Affairs filed suit against the defendants in 2008 and obtained a court order to impound all photographs, videos and other merchandise in the company's warehouse. Consumer Affairs has been working to distribute the merchandise to more than 2,000 customers.
Judge Ahto scheduled sentencing for Schwartz and Celebration Studios for Dec. 18. Detective Cheryl Smith and Deputy Attorney General Rosero conducted and coordinated the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice Major Crimes Bureau.
Former customers of Celebration Studios have until Jan. 13 to claim their merchandise from the Division of Consumer Affairs, under the terms of the July 17 judgment. Customers who contracted with Celebration Studios and have not yet received their photographs or videos should contact the division by calling 1-800-242-5846 or 973-504-6200 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange for the pickup or delivery of their merchandise.
In the July 17 judgment, state Superior Court Judge Catherine M. Langlois found that Celebration Studios and Schwartz engaged in conduct that comprised 1,821 violations of the Consumer Fraud Act and three violations of the Regulations Governing General Advertising. In addition, Schwartz is permanently enjoined from owning and/or operating any business in the state through which merchandise is sold, unless he posts a bond in the amount of the greater of $250,000 or 10 percent of his prior year's income.
Deputy Attorney General Lorraine K. Rak, Chief of the Consumer Fraud Protection Section, and Deputy Attorney General Alina Wells represented the Division of Consumer Affairs in the civil action.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
