DALLAS — A Dallas couple has been ordered to fork over a million dollars after a jury found them guilty of defaming their wedding photographer.
The Washington Post reports that when Andrew and Neely Moldovan got married in October 2014, they hired Andrea Polito to photograph their wedding. The couple paid thousands for a package that included a wedding album and CD, among other things.
They later asked for the high-resolution images, but were told they had to first complete an order form for the album and pay $125 for the cover — all of which Polito claims was in the contract they signed.
The practice was standard, supposedly to prevent brides from making off with their HD copies before paying the full amount.
Still, the pissed-off Moldovans trashed Polito online and took their troubles to the media. Pretty soon, everyone knew about the Dallas photographer taking some poor newlyweds’ photos hostage.
As the hate against Polito piled on, her reputation was flushed down the toilet, taking her photography business with it. She sued for defamation in 2015, and was recently awarded $1.08 million in damages.
The verdict stunned the Moldovans, who insist they were wronged and were simply standing up for their consumer rights by speaking out.
It’s a pretty tricky situation. Who’s side are you on?
