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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – There are other allegations against a San Diego photographer who is alleged to have taken client funds without providing photos. Since the Team 10 story aired in July, several women have said they still haven’t received refunds and more people have been checking in.
Dannica Smelter is one of those women. She said her wedding was beautiful, with beautiful pictures and videos to prove it. However, the photographer she originally hired wasn’t the one who showed up on their wedding day.
While planning the wedding, Smelter said she was trying to find a photographer online as she had done with all of her other vendors. She said Lexie Cruz contacted her for a wedding in Minnesota after posting on a Facebook page.
Smelter first said that Cruz was “super nice” and “everything was fine”.
It wasn’t uncommon for Smelter to communicate with suppliers online.
“Because of COVID, many salespeople… I never met until the actual wedding day. Most of my communications with vendors and various wedding items have been through either the Facebook marketplace or email or a combination of both, “she said.
RELATED: SD Photographer Accused of Taking Money from Customers and Failing to Provide Photos
Two weeks before their wedding, Smelter Cruz checked in and told her something she had never expected.
“She emailed me like, ‘Hey girl. I am sorry. I mixed up the year. I thought I should come in 2022, “Smelter told Team 10.
Despite the 2021 date highlighted in the contract, that was Cruz’s apology.
“I was immediately shocked. I felt like my stomach was falling on my feet, ”said Smelter. “I could not believe it.”
In an email, Cruz said she would refund it. Smelter said that hadn’t happened yet. She lost about $ 1,800.
Tegan, who only wanted to use her first name for data protection reasons, is in the same boat. She hired Cruz for her wedding and checked in a week before the ceremony to make sure everything was on the right track.
“She comes back and says I didn’t receive a deposit,” said Tegan.
Tegan showed Cruz the completed $ 450 payment. On her online news, Tegan said Cruz claimed she didn’t put the wedding on her calendar. Tegan said Cruz told her she would get a refund in August.
“She still hasn’t sent me any money,” said Tegan.
The two Minnesota women are the latest on a list of clients accusing Cruz of taking their money. So far, Team 10 has spoken to seven women in three different states. Lisa from San Diego County spoke to Team 10 about Cruz earlier this year.
“Take note of some of the red flags because she initially sent me a link to every cash app available,” Lisa said on a Team 10 story that aired in July.
Cruz did not consent to an interview on camera. In July, she sent a 14-minute video as part of her statement.
“Yes, there were rejections. No deposit was refunded and I take responsibility for the things I did, “Cruz said in part of the video. “But I also can’t say that I’ve done a lot of things that people say I am. I don’t think it’s fair that I’m having to lose a whole bunch of customers and a bunch of family friends because of this problem. “
After Team 10’s first story aired, Cruz sent text messages claiming people were creating fake accounts and behaving like them. She did not provide any evidence to Team 10.
Cruz also said she was done with her business, “paid it back” and “will get it right”.
This is something that several women are also being said about is not true.
“I haven’t heard from her and I haven’t received a cent,” said Smelter.
Despite claiming her business was done, a file search showed that Lexie Cruz filed for a limited liability company (LLC) for her firm LL Media in late June. Your company’s website and social media are still active.
A legal expert told Team 10 that filing an LLC doesn’t necessarily protect someone from personal civil or criminal action.
Cruz has ignored Team 10’s recent attempts to reach her over the phone, email, and social media.
Smelter said she also ignored her customers. “To someone who said they would give me the money back, it didn’t seem very promising when I was blocked for anything,” she said.
The Better Business Bureau always recommends getting references for photographers, including all details in the contract, not prepaying the full amount, and paying by credit card if possible.
Cruz is currently not facing any criminal charges. San Diego Police have confirmed an investigation is ongoing.
“I was honestly embarrassed and then I was mad … It has to stop now because it’s ridiculous and people shouldn’t be able to,” said Tegan of Cruz.
An online Facebook group where people shared stories about their experience with Cruz has nearly 900 members. Smelter filed a police report. A spokesman for the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office said the case is still active.
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