By John Soltes / Editor in Chief
TRENTON (Nov. 12, 2009, 11:35 a.m.) — Attorney General Anne Milgram announced recently that the owner of Celebration Studios, a now-defunct, Chester-based photograph company, pleaded guilty to a theft charge for failing to pay photographers he hired. Celebration Studios also pleaded guilty to theft for failing to deliver photographs, photo albums and videos to thousands of customers, several of whom may live in the local area.
Marc S. Schwartz, 47, of Randolph, entered his plea before Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto in Morris County. Under the 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 he hired the photographers to take photos and videos and failed to pay them in accordance with their agreements.
“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,” stated Milgram. “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 an order against Schwartz in July, which provides more than $800,000 in consumer restitution, $1.8 million in civil penalties and nearly $400,000 for reimbursement of state fees and investigative costs.
The defendant does not have the assets to satisfy the judgments, according to an official press release.
Currently, the Division of Consumer Affairs has the photographs and videos in question, and is in the process of delivering the items to more than 2,000 customers.
Schwartz, who is permanently unable to own or operate any business in the state where merchandise is sold (unless a bond is posted), will be sentenced Dec. 18.
If you are a local resident who was involved with Celebration Studios, you have until Jan. 13, 2010 to claim your merchandise. You can call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846.
