The City Attorney¡¯s Office recently notified approximately 200 entertainment management companies, agencies, and other related businesses in the LA area that enforcement and penalties against such ¡®audition scams¡¯ would be strengthened.
The announcement follows the state government¡¯s enactment last year of a special law allowing criminal penalties for fraud involving auditions. Under the law, which takes effect on January 1 of next year, it is strictly prohibited to demand money or valuables from aspiring entertainers participating in auditions or to accept advance payments in exchange for guaranteeing a particular role or project. Violators may face a $10,000 fine and criminal prosecution.
Agencies and entertainment companies that recruit and train aspiring entertainers will also be classified as ¡®talent services.¡¯ They must post a $50,000 bond with the state, complete their registration, and clearly specify all terms when preparing contracts.
LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich emphasized, ¡°Any company or individual found violating the new law may face a $10,000 fine and criminal prosecution.¡±
The special law was established after concerns were raised by the Screen Actors Guild, the Association of Talent Agents, an organization representing parents of child actors, and the Better Business Bureau(BBB).
