BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Many brides were left without their dresses or money after an Oakland County bridal shop closed unexpectedly.
The owner is now the focus of a police investigation.
After Birmingham Bridal closed, the brides waiting on their gowns were left searching for answers.
Cassie DiLaura was one of those brides. She had been working with business owner Nadica Ristivojevic, 58, for months and paid thousands of dollars upfront for a dress she never received. The money, the gown and Ristivojevic vanished.
Birmingham police launched an investigation and heard from at least eight other brides who say they were taken advantage of as they were defrauded of approximately $40,000 - $50,000.
The reviews posted online tell part of the story, with frustrated brides speaking out urging brides-to-be to beware.
Criminal charges were sought for the 58-year-old from West Bloomfield and on Tuesday, Sept. 5, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued a warrant for nine counts of false pretenses, $1,000 or more, but less than $20,000 with one count for each victim.
Ristivojevic was arrested on the warrant and arraigned at the 48th District Court and issued a $750,000 cash/surety bond.