FARGO – The owner of the now defunct Glasser Images has filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy protection.
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Jack Glasser scammed more than 500 brides and grooms to live a lifestyle of luxury.
Glasser’s attorney says that’s the furthest from the truth, that Covid just simply ruined the business.
Marissa Tyre is still getting used to wearing that big rock on her finger. She got married just two weeks ago.
She said it was the perfect wedding day.
“It was such a great experience and great day that I wish would have lasted longer,” said Tyre.
Getting to wedding day though was anything but picture perfect.
Tyre originally hired Glasser Images for pictures and videos.
However, she’s now out $4,200 after Glasser closed its doors last Fall.
“I knew it was coming, I surprised it took this long,” she said.
“For the people who are still owed money, is there any chance they may get any money back?” WDAY Reporter Matt Henson asked Tim O’Keeffe, the lawyer who is defending Glasser in a civil suit filed by North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley.
“Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening,” O’Keefe replied.
Jack Glasser started Glasser Images 16 years ago.
According to the bankruptcy filing he has less than $50,000 in assets and owes between $1 million and $10 million dollars in either returned payments or photos and videos.
Attorney General Drew Wrigley has filed a civil suit against Jack Glasser saying he spent the money on flashy cars and was too lazy to cook and ate out.
“It’s a made up theory of the Attorney General’s office, Jack did not live a lavish lifestyle, he was not taking money and living lavishly, that’s just completely false,” said O’Keeffe.
“The money went into the business, the money went to grow the business, and there’s a lot of reasons the business failed, and Covid was one of them. A lot of weddings were postponed indefinitely, that was a huge factor.”
Typically in bankruptcy cases, pending litigation is halted until the bankruptcy matter is settled. However, the Attorney General says that does not apply when law enforcement is involved and they will continue to fight for every penny they can get.
Glasser’s lawyer says they are fighting the wrong battle.
“What are they doing to pursue the photos and videos that are still out there and being held hostage by the subcontractors, and why they are still chasing down a judgment that is going to be uncollectable,” said O’Keeffe.
Marissa Tyre is not expecting a penny to put in her honeymoon piggy bank, a honeymoon she had to cancel due to being out $4,200.
“I will write Jack Glasser’s name in the sand if I have to,” she said.
The Attorney General is working with some sub-contractors who have refused to turn over photos and videos to wedding couples.
Investigators say if they refuse to cooperate their names could be added to the civil suit with Jack Glasser’s name on it.
