A Little Falls NJ wedding photographer was arrested for allegedly stealing approximately $140,000.00 from at least 38 couples.
Michael De Rubeis accepted money from couples to photograph their weddings. However, according to authorities, Mr. De Rubeis failed to deliver the wedding photos.
In 2003, Mr. De Rubeis was accused of doing the same thing to wedding couples in Orange County, NY.
Clients who did receive their photos have alleged that Mr. De Rubeis produced shoddy work and dodged their phone calls.
Mr. De Rubeis has been charged with theft by deception and impersonation.
In New Jersey, theft by deception is addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4. According to the statute, a person commits theft by deception when he uses deceitful means to obtain property. The penalties for theft by deception vary, depending on the value of the property. Here, because the property obtained through deceit is valued at more than $75,000.00, Mr. De Rubeis could be charged with second degree theft by deception. If convicted of second degree theft by deception, Mr. De Rubeis could be sentenced to up to ten (10) years in New Jersey State Prison.
Shortly after being arrested, Mr. De Rubeis was released from custody on $5,000.00 bail.
For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “N.J. Wedding Photographer Took Couples’ Money and Didn’t Deliver Photos, Authorities Say.”
