Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"A modeling agency based in Columbus and Akron will pay $83,500 to settle claims it misled aspiring models. Attorney General Jim Petro on Friday announced the deal with Z Models Inc., Z Studios Inc. and company President Michel LaMonica. The company will refund $70,000 to customers and pay $13,5000 in civil penalties, according to Petro's office. Representatives from the agency were not available for comment Friday morning. Z Models also promised to change its business practices, Petro said, pledging to disclose all fees its clients will incur and disclose that it can't guarantee it will find modeling jobs for clients. The company will also give clients three days to cancel their contracts, the attorney general said, and arbitrate future complaints through the Better Business Bureau."¹

1. "Modeling agency settles complaints," Columbus Business Journal, July 16, 2004.

Modeling Agency To Pay For Violations

"A modeling agency has agreed to pay $70,000 in restitution to Ohio consumers to settle a consumer complaint. State Attorney General Jim Petro filed a complaint last year against Z Models Inc., Z Studios Inc. and president Michel LaMonica last year that said the company violated the Consumer sales Practices Act by making false and deceptive claims regarding modeling job availability and compensation through false advertising and oral misrepresentation. The company, which has a Columbus location, agreed to pay restitution to consumers, alter business practices, pay $13,500 in civil penalties and establish a process to handle future consumer complaints filed against them. As part of the agreement, the company cannot guarantee modeling positions. It must disclose all costs up front to consumers. Petro alleged that Z Models Inc. and Z Studios Inc., which commonly do business under the name Z Model Management, led consumers to believe the modeling jobs paid $55 an hour, when instead they were asked to buy a pricey portfolio with the promise that it would lead to a modeling job that was not delivered."¹

State Says Modeling Agency Must Pay Restitution To Former Clients

"The Fairlawn modeling agency was first exposed by a NewsChannel5 investigation a few years ago. Friday, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro announced that the agency must change its ways. "As we got an abundance of complaints, and we investigated those complaints we ultimately decided to file a lawsuit to stop those practices," said Petro. During the investigation, several young women said they answered ads from Z-Models. They were women chasing a dream that turned out to be a money trap, Harvey reported. "I paid the $400 and when I first walked in the door, they told me they needed a check for $70 to get my hair and makeup done," said Z-Models customer Jessi Sewell. The aspiring models said Z-Models promised immediate modeling jobs. The company denied it made these promises in a written statement -- but undercover cameras found that it did. "'We're going to help you get a job with a $55-an-hour modeling opportunity.' 'This is a major career change for you'--and those kinds of representations just never came through," said Petro."¹

1. "State Says Modeling Agency Must Pay Restitution To Former Clients," NewsChannel 5, July 16, 2004.

Attorney General: Modeling Agency Should Pay For Scam

"A NewsChannel5 investigation first uncovered suspected shady business dealings with Z Models Inc., and now the Akron modeling agency could have a very expensive price to pay. NewsChannel5 reported that Z Models is accused of luring dozens of men and women into its agency by promising them $55-an-hour jobs. But instead of high-paying, glamorous jobs, those modeling hopefuls were allegedly told they had to buy an expensive picture portfolio, which might lead to a job. Attorney General Jim Petro said the agency outright lied to the clients it solicited. He filed a complaint against Z Models, calling for the company to pay fines of $25,000 for each violation."¹

1. "Attorney General: Modeling Agency Should Pay For Scam," NewsChannel5, Cleveland, July 31, 2003.

Attorney General Jim Petro Files Complaint Against Z Models, Inc. and Z Studios, Inc.

"Attorney General Jim Petro filed a complaint against Z Models, Inc. and Z Studios, Inc., which commonly do business under the unregistered trade name Z Model Management, for allegedly misleading consumers into thinking they are getting modeling jobs. Consumers are led to believe the modeling jobs pay $55 an hour when instead they are asked to buy a pricey portfolio with the promise that it will lead to a modeling job, that is not delivered to the consumer. "Companies that mislead and deceive consumers are committing deceptive and unconscionable acts which violate Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act. We want to make sure this company doesn't take advantage of any more Ohioans," said Attorney General Jim Petro. The alleged violations include advertising and soliciting sales to Ohio consumers, which include unfair or deceptive representations. Examples include:

"Attorney General Jim Petro's Office is asking the court to order the company to reimburse consumers for the damages caused by the violations, to impose a civil penalty of $25,000 for each violation, and to stop the company under any name from further doing business in the state of Ohio until a judgment is satisfied and to prevent them from any future violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act."²

1. "Attorney General Jim Petro Files Complaint Against Z Models, Inc. and Z Studios, Inc.," Ohio Attorney General, Aug. 1, 2003.
2. Ibid.

Star Struck: Agency Lets Down Aspiring Models

"NewsChannel5 went undercover to see the selling tactics used at Z Models. "As long as you girls are here at least one Sunday every month getting the material, as well as the exposure, all you're going to do is work," a representative told the clients on the undercover camera. "We all work together. In all reality, you're going to be working before your book is even full." A check at the Better Business Bureau shows an unsatisfactory record against Z Models, with 28 complaints against Z Models. Records showed that the company has responded to the complaints. "There is a theme that runs through many of the complaints, that the consumers are disappointed that having spent money with Z Models, they have not been given any modeling jobs," said Sue McConnell, the vice president of operations at the BBB. Z Models would not go on camera, but faxed NewsChannel5 a statement that read in part, "It has never been our policy to guarantee employment."¹

1. "Star Struck: Agency Lets Down Aspiring Models," NewsChannel5, Cleveland, Nov. 7, 2001.

Petro Files Complaint Against Modeling Company

"Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro filed a complaint Thursday against an Ohio modeling company for allegedly misleading customers into thinking that they were getting modeling jobs. Petro alleged that Z Models Inc. and Z Studios Inc., which commonly do business under the name Z Model Management, led consumers to believe the modeling jobs pay $55 an hour, when instead they are asked to buy a pricey portfolio with the promise that it will lead to a modeling job that is not delivered. Ohio consumers who think they were victimized by these companies are asked to file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section by calling (800) 282-0515 or visiting ag.state.oh.us."¹

1. "Petro Files Complaint Against Modeling Company," NBC-4 Columbis, July 31, 2003.

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