Jeremy Wagner, known for his work with BROKEN HOPE and EARTHBURNER, has scored a significant legal victory over legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin. The dispute, which began with a sale of photographs in 2018, culminated in a default judgment awarding Wagner $61,241 in damages, attorney’s fees, and costs.
The case revolved around four prints—three black-and-white and one color—purportedly taken by Halfin and sold to Wagner with Halfin’s signature and stamp. However, Wagner discovered in October 2023 that three of the prints were actually the work of Barry Plummer, while the fourth was by an unknown photographer. After confirming the misattribution with Plummer in July 2024, Wagner demanded a refund from Halfin in January of that year, but received no response.
Wagner’s legal team, led by attorney George Chin, attempted to resolve the matter informally. “In August 2024, Halfin tried to arrange a backstage meeting with Wagner at a METALLICA concert in Chicago, which Wagner declined, insisting that all communication go through his attorney,” Chin explained.
With no resolution forthcoming, Wagner filed a civil claim in December 2024 under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Halfin failed to attend several hearings in early 2025, and during a May 21, 2025, hearing, Halfin’s attorney admitted that all allegations were true and that Halfin was liable for consumer fraud.
The final hearing on November 24, 2025, which Halfin also did not attend, resulted in a default judgment in Wagner’s favor. The total award of $61,241 covers compensatory and punitive damages, along with legal fees and court costs.
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