Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"The New York state attorney general's office has filed suit against a Montgomery County man who allegedly attempted to run a talent agent scam, pretending to represent major Hollywood studios."¹

"The notice--which was scheduled to run for three weeks--did not mention any fee for performers. But the day the notice appeared, Back Stage began receiving complaints questioning the ad's legitimacy. The paper followed up by investigating; it removed the ad from its website and immediately stopped running it."²

"When Moussouros arrived in Albany, he learned from other actors that Back Stage had run a retraction of the notice because the production was not SAG affiliated. While that worried the actors, they still stayed to audition, he said."³

"What became apparent very quickly is that this man was attempting to con each of us out of $552, seeing as how we were all meant to get this notice," Moussouros said in his letter. Moussouros called the effort "illegal," and said that, as more actors learned what was going on, anger began to mount in the crowd. This led to hotel security calling the Albany police. That led a woman associated with Roselli to complain that the performers were "failed actors" and threaten to have management kick them out of the hotel, Moussouros wrote."⁴

1. Roger Armbrust, "Spitzer Sues Alleged Scammer," Back Stage, July 1, 2004.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.

NY Sues Bogus Talent Agent

"New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has sued an Amsterdamn, NY, man who scammed dozens of actors into believing he was a talent agent and casting director for major motion picture studios. Eric Charles Roselli, also known as Eric Latham, is accused of fraud, deceptive business practices, false advertising and violations of a state law that prohibits advertisements for show business employment opportunities when an advance fee is a condition of employment. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has sued an Amsterdamn, NY, man who scammed dozens of actors into believing he was a talent agent and casting director for major motion picture studios. Eric Charles Roselli, also known as Eric Latham, is accused of fraud, deceptive business practices, false advertising and violations of a state law that prohibits advertisements for show business employment opportunities when an advance fee is a condition of employment."¹

"Individuals wishing to file a complaint against Roselli are encouraged to call the Attorney General's consumer help line at (800) 771-7755 or visit the office's web site at www.oag.state.ny.us."²

Montgomery Co. Man Accused of Perpetrating Talent Agent Scam

"In June 2003, Roselli placed an advertisement in Backstage Magazine, a publication read by individuals in the entertainment industry. The advertisement invited aspiring actors to call a Manhattan telephone number for information about auditions purportedly affiliated with Paramount Studios and Warner Brothers. Actors who called were told that auditions were being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany. Hundreds of individuals traveled to Albany, at their own considerable expense, to appear for the auditions. Spitzer's investigation revealed that Roselli was not affiliated with either studio and that every actor who auditioned was offered a role by Roselli on the condition that they pay him $552 to join the "Artists Union," a non-existent entity."¹

"Several actors recognized Roselli's offer as a scam and reported it to Spitzer's office. Fortunately, no one paid the fee sought by Roselli."²

1. "Montgomery Co. Man Accused of Perpetrating Talent Agent Scam," Department of Law, June 30, 2004.
2. Ibid.

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