Attorney General's office files lawsuit against former wedding photographer, Robert Mannix
ALBANY — The Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against a former Troy wedding photographer on behalf of couples who paid for photo albums they never received.
The suit, filed in Albany County Supreme Court on Wednesday, seeks more than $175,000 from Robert Mannix, who previously operated a photography business on Fulton Street in downtown Troy. It also seeks to prevent him from operating a professional photography business unless he files a $100,000 bond as a fund to recoup any future losses.
The AG began investigating Mannix based on complaints brought to them in 2009, spokeswoman Michelle Duffy said. The allegations surrounded about 30 couples, most of them local, and date back to late 2006, she said.
They purchased wedding photo packages from Mannix, some paying as much as $5,000, according to the attorney general’s office. While photos were provided to some complainants, their photo albums — some handcrafted in Italy — were not provided.
The lawsuit alleges Mannix collected a total of $42,920 for services he never performed. The suit seeks that amount plus $135,500 in damages, which would go into the state’s general fund.
Mannix did business as Mannix Studio and Star Wedding Photography, and he has not been in business since 2009. He does not have a publicly listed telephone number and could not be reached.
Complaints about him can be found on numerous websites used by those looking for wedding photographers. On projectwedding.com, for instance, customers complain they never received the items and said Mannix had stopped taking their calls or responding to e-mails.
A man identifying himself as Mannix replied on the site in 2009, apologizing and acknowledging he had not kept up his end of the bargain.
“I am truly sorry, and tell you that all will be made right. I have been through a rough road and I am working hard to make it all right,” he wrote. “I will get everyone what they paid a lot of money for.”
The attorney general’s office said the matter is being dealt with through a civil lawsuit because criminal charges would require prosecutors to prove Mannix intended to scam customers. Continued...
![](/images/share/share_comment.png)
Dave Canfield can be reached at 270-1290 or by e-mail at dcanfield@troyrecord.com.
ALBANY — The Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against a former Troy wedding photographer on behalf of couples who paid for photo albums they never received.
The suit, filed in Albany County Supreme Court on Wednesday, seeks more than $175,000 from Robert Mannix, who previously operated a photography business on Fulton Street in downtown Troy. It also seeks to prevent him from operating a professional photography business unless he files a $100,000 bond as a fund to recoup any future losses.
The AG began investigating Mannix based on complaints brought to them in 2009, spokeswoman Michelle Duffy said. The allegations surrounded about 30 couples, most of them local, and date back to late 2006, she said.
They purchased wedding photo packages from Mannix, some paying as much as $5,000, according to the attorney general’s office. While photos were provided to some complainants, their photo albums — some handcrafted in Italy — were not provided.
The lawsuit alleges Mannix collected a total of $42,920 for services he never performed. The suit seeks that amount plus $135,500 in damages, which would go into the state’s general fund.
Mannix did business as Mannix Studio and Star Wedding Photography, and he has not been in business since 2009. He does not have a publicly listed telephone number and could not be reached.
Complaints about him can be found on numerous websites used by those looking for wedding photographers. On projectwedding.com, for instance, customers complain they never received the items and said Mannix had stopped taking their calls or responding to e-mails.
A man identifying himself as Mannix replied on the site in 2009, apologizing and acknowledging he had not kept up his end of the bargain.
“I am truly sorry, and tell you that all will be made right. I have been through a rough road and I am working hard to make it all right,” he wrote. “I will get everyone what they paid a lot of money for.”
The attorney general’s office said the matter is being dealt with through a civil lawsuit because criminal charges would require prosecutors to prove Mannix intended to scam customers.
Dave Canfield can be reached at 270-1290 or by e-mail at dcanfield@troyrecord.com.
Comments
Login To Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Not Registered? Sign up today for free!
![fact check icon](http://images.townnews.com/troyrecord.com/images/factcheck.png)
See wrong or incorrect information in a story? Tell us here
Photo Gallery
Fall Gallery
- Sound Off: Let Catholic priests marry (746)
- Talespin: Democrats are still in flux (435)
- VIDEO RPI coach Seth Appert 'elated' to have spot in NCAA Hockey Tournament (379)
- Cohoes Planning Board: Proposed Dollar General needs changes (348)
- VIDEO Community gathers at Kent's Sugar House to celebrate maple syrup season (315)
- Police Blotter for March 20, 2011 (306)
- County pulling back in Luther Forest Technology Park ownership talks (296)
- School 18 no longer first choice for closure; final decision rests with Board of Education (20)
- Talespin: Troy gal beats out 'Burgh guy (13)
- Troy City Council President Clement Campana waives right to speedy trial in voter fraud case DOCUMENTS (11)
- Pulse of The People: Give Mantello support (9)
- Troy’s GOP committee nominates Mantello for mayor (8)
- Former Congressman John Sweeney calls days after DWI arrest ‘an awakening’ (5)
- Luck of the Irish won’t be on your side if you choose to drink and drive this weekend (5)
- Albany police spokesman James Miller arrested for DWI Friday night (4)
- Education cuts the hot topic at Sen. Roy McDonald's public hearing Saturday (4)
- South End Tavern and its patrons continue long held St. Patrick’s Day traditions (3)
- Troy’s GOP committee nominates Mantello for mayor (2)
- Engineers wait for the official announcement (2)
- Five Questions for March 20, 2011: Don Jones (2)
- Bishop Howard Hubbard: Priests accused of abuse removed (1)
Recent Activity on Facebook
![story Idea icon](http://images.townnews.com/troyrecord.com/images/story_idea.png)
Story Ideas
Send us your news tips and story ideas .
Blog Center
Troy Talk
Record staffers bring you up-to-date information on the comings and goings of New York's Collar City.
NY Community Newspapers in the Digital Age
About the newspaper and the community it serves, its parent company (Journal Register Co.), the media business, and related topics.
From the Editor's Desk
Editor Lisa Robert Lewis offers insight into our newsroom as well as the community and the people we cover.
Talespin
You no longer have to wait until every Monday to hear the latest about what Rensselaer and Albany politicians are up to. Visit the Talespin Blog everyday, if for no other reason than to make sure you're not mentioned.
Tiny Babel
Columnist Siobhan Connally invites you to witness the daily chaos of being a mom in her blog, a virtual baby book gone wrong.
According to Jim
Jim Gordon offers insight and opinions on neighborhood matters from Lansingburgh to South Troy.
That's the Way It Is
Tina Urzan, proprietor of Olde Judge Mansion, tells us the way it is about local, state and national issues.
ArmeNews
Join Rafi Topalian as he discusses the past, present and future Armenian news, stories and related issues that effect not only the Armenian Community in the Capital District but non-Armenian readers alike.