Under Investigation: The inside story of the Florida Attorney
General's investigation of Wilhelmina Scouting Network,
the largest model and talent scam in America.

ISBN-0968713335 Paperback 512 pages $29.95

Easy Background Check

Out of Business

Model Search America

Z Models (aka Z Model Management)

Modeling Agency Quickly Packs Up, Leaves

WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio

Dreams smashed -- paychecks missing.  Now, owners of a local modeling
business have shut everyone out.

Clients and employees went to Z Models and found the doors locked and the
office cleaned out.  They say their pocketbooks are also empty.

Veronica Whitehead has been modeling for years.  As a teen, she found jobs
in local commercials.  She later landed work through Z Models while a
college student.

"I did a Safe Auto commercial, a hair show I was very proud of, a lot of
promotional stuff," Whitehead said.

But things drastically changed over the week leading up to Labor Day.

"I was making phone calls, and no one was returning them.  And I thought
something was funny with that."

Veronica was locked out of Z Models with her entire portfolio of pictures
inside. Without it, she has little chance of getting additional modeling
work.

"This is work, what I've been doing, and I need this to show," she explained
about her portfolio.

And that's not the only thing Veronica says Z Models has been hanging onto.

"They are withholding $1,000 in paychecks from me."

Local employees for the company tell 10TV they were just as surprised as
Whitehead was.  They came to work and found the locks changed with no
warning.  And like Veronica, payday still hasn't come.

"They've destroyed people's dreams," Whitehead added about the agency.

Veronica says she can't afford to have new pictures taken.  So she planned
to fight for her pictures, her paycheck and her lifelong dream.  She said
she hopes others will follow.

"They've ripped us off, taken advantage of us, and it's sad.  I urge people
to come forward."

The Ohio Attorney General also wants to hear from anyone affected.  They
confirmed Tuesday that the owners of Z Models are in the process of closing
their Central Ohio location along with their Cleveland/Akron office.

10TV's calls to the owner were not returned.

Anyone wishing to lodge any complaints with the Ohio Attorney General's
office can call 1-800-282-0515.

http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2270467 (Sept. 7, 2004) [Sept. 10, 2004]