Saturday, 22 October 2011

Wedding photographer gets 510 days in jail for cheating newlyweds

Wedding photographer gets 510 days in jail for cheating newlyweds


A wedding photographer has been sentenced to 510 days in jail for failing to provide photos to dozens of newlyweds who had paid thousands for images of their big day.
Victims who married as long ago as 2003 are still waiting for photographs from Alan Brent Carruth, prosecutors said.
In all, 42 victims paid Carruth nearly $125,000 for photographs and photo products that were never delivered, prosecutors said.
Carruth, who operated Alan Brent Photography in Los Angeles, pleaded no contest to eight misdemeanor counts of grand theft in June, prosecutors say.
Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan sentenced Carruth on Thursday to jail time and prohibited him from working as a photographer in any capacity during the course of his probation.
The judge also ordered Carruth to hand over all the photographs and pay full restitution to all victims who had lodged complaints with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs by the end of the month. Carruth must also pay $19,542 in investigative costs.
Victims met Carruth at bridal shows at the Los Angeles Convention Center, in Orange County or through referrals, according to a Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs investigation.
Carruth then misrepresented the delivery, quantity and quality of the photographs taken and delivered, authorities said.
On more than one occasion, Carruth also promised to personally photograph a wedding, but instead sent an inexperienced substitute in his place, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office said