North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley has filed a civil consumer fraud complaint against Glasser Images, a Bismarck photography firm — and its owner, Jack Glasser.
Glasser Images abruptly closed its doors in October, 2021. It posted notice that it would not offer refunds to clients who had scheduled the company for wedding and other special event photo shoots. Others were denied promised photos.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud division director, Parrell Grossman, said the office has received 539 complaints that allege $1.4 million in claims from multiple states.
Glasser said he was shutting down because of the pandemic. But Grossman said his office’s investigation shows otherwise.
"Glasser Images was severely under capitalized, and had been experiencing serious financial problems years before the closure," Grossman said. "For instance, Glasser struggled from at least early 2018, with frequent bank account overdrafts, and difficulties, at times, making employee payroll."
Grossman said it is “deceptive and illegal” to solicit and accept advanced deposits from consumers for services that he could not provide.
In a statement, Glasser’s attorney, Tim O’Keefe, said Glasser had been working “tirelessly” to get his clients’ memories back to them, and has cooperated with the Attorney General’s investigation. But O’Keefe said the AG’s office chose to “grab some cheap headlines” that help no one. He also said the complaint is filled with “speculation and puffery."
The lawsuit would also ban Glasser from providing future photography services. It also seeks restitution for consumers and subcontractors, and imposition of appropriate civil penalties.
