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Florida Sues Wedding Photographer For Failure to Deliver

March 10, 2006
Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist has filed suit against a Broward County photo business for allegedly charging South Florida consumers thousands of dollars in fees to photograph weddings and special events, and then never delivering the promised photographs and albums.

Joseph Roger Silky, owner of Silky Photography, Inc., is named as a defendant in the legal action.

According to complaints forwarded to investigators with Crist's Economic Crimes Division by WPLG Channel 10 in Miami, Silky allegedly charged fees of approximately $1,500 to provide professional quality photographs of special events.

The fees generally included a photo album and custom photo packages, but when consumers attempted to collect their order, their calls and emails to Silky would go unanswered. The Attorney General's Office is gathering information from more than 30 consumers who claimed they were victimized by Silky's deceptive business tactics, losing possibly as much as $45,000.

"One of a person's most cherished moments, their wedding, should be cherished forever with their photographs," said Crist. "This individual has denied these victims of this opportunity and it will not be tolerated."

Typical of those who lodged complaints were Scott and Nicole Brown of Hollywood, who hired Silky to photograph their wedding last May. The couple paid Silky $1,900, but never received the photo albums and prints they purchased.

They tried to contact Silky numerous times by phone and email, but got no response. They have since spoken with an investigator with Crist's office and provided their complaint information.

The Attorney General's case against Silky and Silky Photography, Inc., is being filed under Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Silky and his company face penalties of $10,000 per violation, or $15,000 if the victim was a senior citizen.

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