{
  "standard": "FactUnion Standard v1",
  "checkedAt": "2026-10-13T20:54:24.707Z",
  "title": "The Float: Whose Money Is a Wedding Deposit?",
  "date": "2026-10-13",
  "facts": [
    {
      "n": 1,
      "claim": "The North Carolina DOJ complaint states that Holly Christina Photography continued accepting deposits from couples until at least January 10, 2026, and suspended operations on January 25, 2026.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Plaintiff-State-Complaint-Motion-for-Pre-Injunction-2.pdf",
          "title": "State of North Carolina ex rel. Jeff Jackson complaint and motion for preliminary injunction"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 2,
      "claim": "The State's complaint alleges the company misled more than 166 consumers and retained approximately $763,000 in deposits.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Plaintiff-State-Complaint-Motion-for-Pre-Injunction-2.pdf",
          "title": "State of North Carolina ex rel. Jeff Jackson complaint and motion for preliminary injunction"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 3,
      "claim": "On February 24, 2026, the NC DOJ announced it had sued the wedding photographers after 166 complaints and about $750,000 in financial loss.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-sues-wedding-photographers-after-166-complaints-about-750k-in-financial-loss/",
          "title": "Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues Wedding Photographers After 166 Complaints, About $750K in Financial Loss - NCDOJ"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://wlos.com/news/local/north-carolina-wedding-photographer-complaint-attorney-general-jeff-jackson-holly-christina-photography-166-customer-complaints-refunds",
          "title": "Wedding photography company accused of defrauding $750k from customers"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/nc-ag-sues-wedding-photographers-accused-of-stealing-750000-across-166-complaints/",
          "title": "NC AG sues wedding photographers accused of stealing $750K across 166 complaints"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 4,
      "claim": "According to the complaint, Carolina Roach hired the company for her September 27, 2025 wedding, received only a 'sneak peek' of 156 photographs, and was later sent a download link for her raw files that did not work.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Plaintiff-State-Complaint-Motion-for-Pre-Injunction-2.pdf",
          "title": "State of North Carolina ex rel. Jeff Jackson complaint and motion for preliminary injunction"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "note": "The complaint names her Carolina Roach, not Caroline Roach.",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 5,
      "claim": "According to the complaint, Alexis Sullivan paid $7,656.90 for a March 2026 wedding and received no edited products.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Plaintiff-State-Complaint-Motion-for-Pre-Injunction-2.pdf",
          "title": "State of North Carolina ex rel. Jeff Jackson complaint and motion for preliminary injunction"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.einpresswire.com/article/897547982/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-sues-wedding-photographers-after-166-complaints-about-750k-in-financial-loss",
          "title": "Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues Wedding Photographers After 166 Complaints, About $750K in Financial Loss"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 6,
      "claim": "A May 2026 preliminary injunction ordered the defendants to give all previously promised photos and videos to affected couples within 30 days.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.wral.com/consumer/5onyourside/holly-christina-photography-1-million-jeff-jackson-may-2026/",
          "title": "$1 million lost: State orders wedding photographer to turn over pics and video as promised :: WRAL.com"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "note": "The cited article does not say the order covered raw and edited material; it says any previously promised photos and videos within 30 days.",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 7,
      "claim": "The NC Attorney General's office stated that the defendants failed to deliver all raw and edited photos and videos within the 30-day period and did not provide a verified list of consumers who had received materials.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-wins-wedding-photography-case-judge-grants-default-judgment/",
          "title": "Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wins Wedding Photography Case; Judge Grants Default Judgment - NCDOJ"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/nc-attorney-general-says-wedding-photographers-didnt-deliver-all-photos-and-videos-seeks-final-judgment/",
          "title": "NCAG says wedding photographers didn't deliver photos and videos; seeks final judgment"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://camorabug.com/wedding-photo-company-17m-nc-judgment-request/",
          "title": "Wedding Photo Company Faces $1.7M NC Judgment Request"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 8,
      "claim": "The October 2026 default judgment orders nearly $600,000 in restitution to 142 customers and more than $1.1 million in civil penalties.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-wins-wedding-photography-case-judge-grants-default-judgment/",
          "title": "Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wins Wedding Photography Case; Judge Grants Default Judgment - NCDOJ"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.photographytalk.com/holly-christina-photography-judgment/",
          "title": "Holly Christina Photography Judgment Nears $1.7M"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.pubt.io/view/7AB72C70F7DBFD2CDA6927D687AFE773B43E07B1",
          "title": "DOJ - North Carolina Department of Justice (via Public) / Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wins Wedding Photography Case; Judge Grants Default Judgment"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 9,
      "claim": "The judgment permanently bans the defendants from entering photography or videography contracts and from owning or operating any business that accepts advance deposits for such services.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.wect.com/2026/10/12/judge-orders-wedding-photography-company-return-photos-pay-17-million/",
          "title": "Judge orders wedding photography company to return photos, pay $1.7 million - WECT"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-wins-wedding-photography-case-judge-grants-default-judgment/",
          "title": "Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wins Wedding Photography Case; Judge Grants Default Judgment - NCDOJ"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://foxwilmington.com/judge-orders-wedding-photography-company-to-return-photos-pay-1-7-million/",
          "title": "Judge orders wedding photography company to return photos, pay $1.7 million | Fox Wilmington WSFX-TV"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 10,
      "claim": "WRAL reported that owner Holly Ayscue said an illness contributed to the failure of the business.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.wral.com/consumer/5onyourside/holly-christina-photography-raleigh-judgement-uncertainty-october-2026/",
          "title": "Uncertainty looms despite $1.7M judgment in favor of Holly Christina Photography customers :: WRAL.com"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.wral.com/news/local/holly-christina-photography-court-appearance-august-2026/",
          "title": "Holly Christina Photography owner: ‘Doing everything in my power’ to make things right :: WRAL.com"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "note": "The evidence credits the illness explanation to Holly Ayscue only, not to both owners.",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 11,
      "claim": "The News & Observer reported the NC AG saying the fight against the wedding photographer is 'far from over' after the $1.7M judgment.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article317524931.html",
          "title": "NC AG says fight against wedding photographer is 'far from over' after $1.7M judgment"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://abc11.com/post/nc-ag-says-fight-holly-christina-photography-is-far-17m-judgment/19914581/",
          "title": "NC AG says fight against Holly Christina Photography is 'far from over' after $1.7M judgment - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 12,
      "claim": "Attorney General Jeff Jackson said the state still does not have all of the company's financial records and his office is still trying to determine exactly where customers' money went, and whether customers will actually receive restitution remains uncertain.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article317524931.html",
          "title": "NC AG says fight against wedding photographer is 'far from over' after $1.7M judgment"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "note": "The page backs the part about financial records and where the money went, but it does not directly say the AG has not reported collecting any restitution, only that recovery remains uncertain.",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 13,
      "claim": "In June 2026, WRAL reported North Carolina couples questioning oversight after high-profile wedding vendor failures.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.wral.com/consumer/5onyourside/day-of-weddings-scam-wedding-vendor-holly-christina-lack-of-oversight/",
          "title": "North Carolina couples question oversight after high-profile wedding vendor failures :: WRAL.com"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.wral.com/video/regulating-the-wedding-industry-june-2026/",
          "title": "Regulating the wedding industry"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 14,
      "claim": "CBS Boston reported that couples and photographers are out money after New Hampshire company Picture This Wedding closed.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/picture-this-wedding-photography-nh-company-bankrupt/",
          "title": "Wedding photos missing, couples and photographers out money after NH company files for bankruptcy - CBS Boston"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/video/newlywed-couples-photographers-out-money-after-nh-company-files-for-bankruptcy/",
          "title": "Newlywed couples, photographers out money after NH company files for bankruptcy - CBS Boston"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://wisevoter.com/world/us/nh/2026/10/09/picture-this-wedding-bankruptcy",
          "title": "Picture This Wedding Filed for Bankruptcy | Wisevoter"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 15,
      "claim": "Hoodline reported that Picture This Wedding announced its closure and plans for Chapter 7, and noted the announcement does not establish that a petition has been filed or a trustee appointed.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://hoodline.com/2026/10/picture-this-wedding-announces-closure-and-plans-chapter-7-leaving-couples-and-photographers-uncertain/",
          "title": "NH Wedding Photo Firm's Bankruptcy Hits New England Couples - Hoodline"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 16,
      "claim": "The Consumers Association of Singapore received 66 complaints between August 14 and 18, 2026, involving more than S$271,000 in prepayment losses after Korea Artiz Studio stopped operating.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/case-gets-66-complaints-involving-over-270000-in-losses-after-korea-artiz-studio-stops-operations",
          "title": "Korea Artiz Studio closure: 66 complaints, $270k losses | The Straits Times"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/korea-artiz-studio-sudden-closure-couples-affected-case-6329011",
          "title": "‘My heart sank’: Abrupt closure of Korea Artiz Studio leaves engaged couples in limbo - CNA"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.stomp.sg/trending-now/korean-wedding-studios-spore-outlet-limbo-after-staff-say-salaries-unpaid-case-seeking-clarification",
          "title": "Korean wedding studio sudden closure & unpaid salaries | Stomp"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 17,
      "claim": "Staff at Korea Artiz Studio's Singapore outlet said their salaries had gone unpaid when it went into limbo.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.stomp.sg/trending-now/korean-wedding-studios-spore-outlet-limbo-after-staff-say-salaries-unpaid-case-seeking-clarification",
          "title": "Korean wedding studio sudden closure & unpaid salaries | Stomp"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/case-gets-66-complaints-involving-over-270000-in-losses-after-korea-artiz-studio-stops-operations",
          "title": "Korea Artiz Studio closure: 66 complaints, $270k losses | The Straits Times"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/carlton-hotel-takes-back-space-formerly-occupied-by-korea-artiz-studio",
          "title": "Korea Artiz Studio premises taken back by hotel | The Straits Times"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 18,
      "claim": "By September 30, 2026, Korea Artiz Studio faced possible charges under Singapore's CPF Act, its representative failed to show up in court, and multiple customer claims had been filed.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/business/korea-artiz-studio-faces-possible-charge-under-cpf-act-representative-fails-to-show-up-in-court",
          "title": "Korea Artiz Studio faces possible CPF charges; multiple customer claims filed | The Straits Times"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://redhot.sg/korea-artiz-studio-faces-possible-charge-under-cpf-act-representative-fails-to-show-up-in-court-722805.html",
          "title": "Korea Artiz Studio faces possible charge under CPF Act; representative fails to show up in court - Red Hot Singapore"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://my3life.com/2026/09/korea-artiz-studio-in-singapore-cpf-probe-consumer-losses-and-how-affected-parties-can-seek-redress/",
          "title": "Korea Artiz Studio in Singapore: CPF probe, consumer losses and how"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 19,
      "claim": "California's Seller of Travel law requires sums received for travel to be deposited in a trust account (with limited bond alternatives) and treats them as held in trust for passengers.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-bpc/division-7/part-3/chapter-1/article-2-6/section-17550-15/",
          "title": "California Business and Professions Code § 17550.15 - Justia"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=2.6.&chapter=1.&division=7.&lawCode=BPC&part=3.&title=",
          "title": "Codes Display Text"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://california.public.law/codes/business_and_professions_code_section_17550.15",
          "title": "Business and Professions Code section 17550.15"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 20,
      "claim": "North Carolina law requires trust-funded preneed funeral payments to be deposited in an insured account, in trust, within five business days.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-210.61.pdf",
          "title": "N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-210.61 Deposit or application of preneed funeral funds"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_90/Article_13D.html",
          "title": "Chapter 90 - Article 13D"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://law.onecle.com/north-carolina/90-medicine-and-allied-occupations/90-210.61.html",
          "title": "North Carolina General Statutes  § 90-210.61 Deposit or application of preneed funeral funds - Legal Research"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 21,
      "claim": "California requires preneed funeral deposits to be placed in trust with a trustee under an executed trust agreement within 30 days.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7737",
          "title": "California Code, BPC 7737"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press_releases/n2072_complaint_-_funeral.pdf",
          "title": "Cemetery and Funeral Bureau Complaint"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://california.public.law/codes/business_and_professions_code_section_7737",
          "title": "Business and Professions Code section 7737"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 22,
      "claim": "Under the ASC 606 accounting standard, a client's retainer is treated as deferred revenue, a liability, until the performance obligation is satisfied.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://beancount.io/blog/2026/06/01/independent-wedding-portrait-photography-studio-bookkeeping-booking-retainer-deferred-revenue-asc-606-second-shooter-1099-vs-w2-abc-test-section-179-mirrorless-print-album-digital-sales-tax-tave-studio-ninja-reconciliation-guide",
          "title": "Wedding and Portrait Photography Studio Bookkeeping - beancount.io"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.ey.com/content/dam/ey-unified-site/ey-com/en-us/technical/accountinglink/documents/ey-frdbb3043-08-07-2025-v2.pdf",
          "title": "Financial reporting developments: Revenue from contracts with customers (ASC 606)"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://blawfirm.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Revenue-Recognition-Roadmap-ASC-Topic-606.pdf",
          "title": "ASC 606: Revenue from Contracts with Customers"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 23,
      "claim": "CPI Corp abruptly closed its U.S. portrait studios inside Sears and some Walmart stores in April 2013.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mo-sears-walmart-portrait-studios-close-20130405-story.html",
          "title": "Portrait studios suddenly close in Sears, some Wal-Marts - Los Angeles Times"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/25354/000091476013000037/c20242_8k040313.htm",
          "title": "c20242_8k040313.htm"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/business/article_76f1b7a9-1916-5812-80f6-9939a7fdaa62.html",
          "title": "CPI Corp. abruptly shuts down U.S. operations"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 24,
      "claim": "After CPI's closure, at least one displaced employee, studio manager Jennifer McDowell, burned undelivered portrait packages onto CDs so customers could get their images.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2013/Apr/06/News/business040613_M.shtml",
          "title": "LDN - Business (Lincoln Daily News), April 6, 2013"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://archive.triblive.com/news/wire-stories/cpi-abruptly-closes-portrait-studios-in-u-s/",
          "title": "CPI abruptly closes portrait studios in U.S."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2013/04/05/cpi-abruptly-closes-its-u/42950823007/",
          "title": "CPI abruptly closes its U.S. portrait studios"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "note": "The evidence names only one employee, Jennifer McDowell, burning orders onto CDs, so the plural \"some employees\" is not confirmed.",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 25,
      "claim": "Customers told News9 that the PictureMe studios had shut down without warning and that the company had not returned their calls or emails.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.news9.com/story/5e34e081e0c96e774b35a06d/customers-say-now-bankrupt-photo-studio-ripping-them-off",
          "title": "Customers Say Now Bankrupt Photo Studio Ripping Them Off - News9.com"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "note": "The News9 page reports unanswered calls and emails, but it does not say they were about refunds. One customer actually got a $20 refund from Wal-Mart.",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    },
    {
      "n": 26,
      "claim": "CPI Corp filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in May 2013.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324766604578459050620309778",
          "title": "Sears Portrait Studio Operator Files for Bankruptcy - WSJ"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/25354/000091476013000042/c20242_8k050113.htm",
          "title": "c20242_8k050113.htm"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/9704473/CPI_Corp",
          "title": "CPI Corp. Bankruptcy (1:13-bk-11158), Delaware Bankruptcy Court"
        }
      ],
      "verdict": "verified",
      "quote": false,
      "usedInEpisode": true
    }
  ],
  "removed": [],
  "audioCheck": {
    "lines": 196,
    "matched": 196
  },
  "corrections": []
}