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...

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

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of troyrecord.com.

Login To Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 

Not Registered? Sign up today for free!

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

*First Name:
*Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
*Address:
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:
 






fact check icon

See wrong or incorrect information in a story? Tell us here

Recent Activity on Facebook



story Idea icon

Story Ideas

Send us your news tips and story ideas .


Blog Center

troy talk

Troy Talk

Record staffers bring you up-to-date information on the comings and goings of New York's Collar City.

jim

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.

Lisa

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

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.

jim gordon

According to Jim

Jim Gordon offers insight and opinions on neighborhood matters from Lansingburgh to South Troy.

urzan

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.

rafi

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.

vito

Community Thoughts

Vito Ciccarelli talks about Trojans and the things they do in their communities.

More Blogs

National AP Headlines

View all AP National Headlines