Los Angeles is cracking down on talent industry scams that cheat aspiring actors and models out of money by charging them outrageous fees.
“Thousands come to Hollywood every year to pursue their dreams in the entertainment industry,” said City Attorney Mike Feuer. “We need to protect them from those who would dash those dreams by taking unfair advantage of them.”
Earlier this week, Los Angeles police officers arrested Debra Baum, who was the previous manager of viral artist Rebecca Black, was arrested after charging management fees to aspiring musicians.
From Deadline:
In March 2012, Baum allegedly solicited a 19-year-old singer in a hair salon to sign a $10,000-per-month management contract to handle her vocal career. Before terminating the contract that September, the victims’ family allegedly paid $70,000 in management fees to Baum as well as thousands of dollars in third-party expenses for vocal training, stylists and recordings. The victim’s sister was also allegedly solicited for a contract and paid an additional $40,000 to Baum in management fees for acting. A complaint was subsequently made to the City Attorney’s Office and investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs.
The latest crackdown is part of Los Angeles Talent Scam Prevention Act. The Talent Scam Prevention Act prohibits talent agents and talent managers from charging an advance fee for representation as well as requiring clients of talent training, talent counseling and talent listing services to buy photographs, websites and other promo materials as a condition for using or for obtaining preferential treatment from that service.
The union for actors, SAG took part in the press conference to raise awareness about talent scams. “SAG-AFTRA works tirelessly to ensure that our members – and future members – are protected from fraudulent talent scams that prey on their hopes, dreams, and optimism,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the union’s chief operating officer and general counsel. “Having worked closely with lawmakers to achieve enactment of the Talent Scam Prevention Act, we applaud the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for its commitment to enforcing the law and safeguarding performers, especially young performers and their families, who so often fall victim to these scams. The best law would be meaningless without effective and vigorous enforcement.”
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