Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"Prosecutors say Valencia, 44, scammed dozens of families out of thousands of dollars by exploiting their daughters' dreams of a modeling career. Valencia pleaded no contest to charges including theft, and Judge Stephen Sillman sentenced her Friday to three years in prison. "It's very gratifying to finally get some amount of closure," said Monterey County Deputy District Attorney Denine Guy. "But it's still not completed in the fact that so many of these people are out some of their money, and this is really hard-earned money for these folks." Valencia spent the money as quickly as it came in, Guy said, often on expensive clothes and home furnishings. Further diminishing the chance that the families will see any restitution is the fact that Valencia is a Spanish national who could now be deported because of the crimes. "How can people like her do things like this in this country?" Rebecca Delatorre asked outside the courtroom Friday. She spent nearly $4,000 hoping that her 15-year-old daughter, Briana, would get training and work in the fashion industry. Many of the Salinas parents who apparently fell victim to the scheme gave the agency known as Models International their trust because it came with an implicit stamp of approval. Many of their daughters had first encountered the firm at high school career fairs."¹

1. Dan Laidman, "Modeling offer only a facade," Monterey County Herald, Apr. 25, 2004.

Police say model agency illegally took fees

"It sounded so good to an estimated 200 would-be models: Sign up with Models International and receive professional coaching and pitches to casting directors and agents. That was in addition to a professional photo shoot--all for a $2,190 to $2,895 fee. The only problem was many of those who signed up "did not receive that representation nor help with employment or jobs," according to a statement released by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. "Many did not receive photos after the photo session," the statement said. "Some never received a photo session." Mary Reyes Valencia, who operated Models International--first in Los Gatos and now in Campbell--was arrested Wednesday and charged with four counts of felony grand theft and 18 counts of violations of the Advance-Fee Talent Service law, designed to deal with businesses that accept money up front for services that are to be provided later, said Deputy District Attorney Robin Wakshull. Valencia denied the allegations on Thursday. The district attorney's office asks that anyone who may have information about Models International call the office's consumer protection unit at (408) 792-2880."¹

1. "Police say model agency illegally took fees," Mercury News, Feb. 14, 2003.

County probes modeling company

"The company set up a recruitment seminar at a Monterey hotel the weekend of April 12-13, and invited teens to attend a modeling career seminar, said Denine Guy, a prosecutor in the district attorney's consumer protection unit. Guy said the scouts told the participants that they had spotted them in the community when they had actually gotten the names and phone numbers from local career fairs and interest cards the teens had filled out at shopping malls. Most participants were called back the next day and told they "had a special look," and then were subjected to high-pressure sales tactics, Guy said. The participants and their parents were asked to sign contracts, agreeing to pay $3,000 up front for services such as portfolios, makeup sessions and professional modeling, coaching and training. "¹

1. M. Cristina Medina, "County probes modeling company," Monterey Herald, Apr. 24, 2003.

Criminal Charges Filed Against Owner of Models International

"The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has filed a criminal complaint against Mary Reyes Valencia, also known as Reje Valencia and Maria Lopez, charging her with four counts of grand theft and eighteen counts of violations of the Advance-Fee Talent Service law. All charges arise out of Valencia's operation of a business known as Models International, which was located in Los Gatos and which is now located in Campbell, California. Valencia was arrested on Wednesday, February 12, 2003. Employees of Models International solicited young people with dreams of modeling and acting careers to sign up for its Models Program. While claiming that Models International was not a modeling school or agency, Valencia's program included: a photo shoot with professional photographers, hairdressers and make-up artists; prints for a portfolio and 100 zed cards (which are like a model's business card); professional coaching and training; counseling, advising and career direction; and representation to top agents and industry professionals. During individual sales interviews, victims stated that they were also told that Models International would promote the models and represent them to casting directors, agents and clients and get them modeling jobs. The fee for the Models Program was between $2,190 and $2,895, which was paid upon signing an agreement, in advance of any photos or coaching or jobs. Most of the victims understood and believed that they were signing up with an agency that would represent them and work to get them jobs. They did not receive that representation nor help with employment or jobs. Many did not receive photos after the photo session. Some never received a photo session. Neither Models International nor Valencia has a license to act as a talent agent and to procure or offer to procure employment for models or actors. Neither Models International nor Valencia has filed a bond with the Labor Commissioner nor do the contracts or agreements comply with specific statutory requirements of the Advance-Fee Talent Service laws."¹

1. "Criminal Charges Filed Against Owner of Models International," Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, Feb. 13, 2003.

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