Christopher Ayscue and Holly Scott Ayscue, owners of Holly Christina Photography, appeared in court on a criminal charge of obtaining property by false pretense. The charge stems from a complaint involving Morgan Bales and her husband, who say they paid Holly Christina Photography more than $5,600 to photograph and document their wedding. According to the allegations, no one from the company showed up on their wedding day.
Outside the courthouse, Christopher Ayscue initially declined to comment when asked about the couples who say they paid the company thousands of dollars and never received the services they were promised. When asked again, Ayscue said to Troubleshooter Diane Wilson, "We're trying our hardest to, given with all the situation, like everything that's happened. We're trying our hardest to get everything fixed as quickly as possible."
Wilson responded: "You've been saying that for months."
Ayscue replied, "I know. It's been a very, very, I don't know, it's been a hard thing to deal with."
Holly Scott Ayscue also spoke briefly outside court. Earlier this year, when ABC11 began investigating Holly Christina Photography, the company said on social media that it was dealing with a serious and unexpected medical emergency.
The company later announced it was closing because of unforeseen circumstances.
When Wilson asked Holly Ayscue today about what happened, she said, "I feel very bad about everything that's happened. This, that was my whole world; my business was my world. I care about my clients. I've always cared about my clients. I got sick, my business failed because I was in the hospital, and there are records to prove that. So I want that to be known."
Wilson replied that she understood and asked whether the couples who had their weddings photographed by Holly Christina Photography will ever see those photographs and video.
"I have this current pending case," Holly Ayscue responded. "I'm not going to talk about anything else. I have done everything in my power to fulfill what I can. It has been very difficult in our family, and that is all I can say."
The criminal case is not the only legal action facing the Ayscues. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson's office has filed a civil lawsuit against the couple and Holly Christina Photography. The Attorney General's Office says it received more than 217 complaints from customers alleging approximately $1 million in financial losses.
Wilson was the first to bring you the story of frustrated couples saying they paid thousands of dollars for wedding photography and videography services, only to say the company stopped responding, failed to deliver photos or videos, or did not show up for their wedding.
Both Ayscues asked the court to appoint a public defender to represent them. They did not enter pleas Monday.
The couple is scheduled to return to court later this month.
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