Hollywood talent agent charged with violating scam law
A veteran Hollywood talent agent has been charged with multiple counts of violating the state's talent-scam prevention law, officials said Tuesday.
Patrick W. O'Brien, 51, owner of Pat O'Brien Talent Management and Talent Marketing and Promotions Inc., was charged this week with six criminal counts, including grand theft, false advertising, operating an advance-fee talent representation service and failing to file a $50,000 bond with the state Labor Commission.
The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by an Arizona mother who moved to California with her 15-year-old son after he was invited by O'Brien's group to audition for a part in a teen sitcom. The mother claimed that the audition was a ploy to sign a management contract with O'Brien, and she paid nearly $3,000 for a photo shoot and acting classes.
Read more about O'Brien and the talent-scam charges at the Times' Company Town blog.
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
This has been going on for years, the talent agent gets kick backs from the acting coach and the photo shooter.
Posted by: LOU | April 12, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Low-hanging fruit for law enforcement to pluck. This is no big deal in Hollywood, almost commonplace. Go after the bigger fish and stop chasing after minor scoff law breakers.
Posted by: Dereck | April 12, 2011 at 04:04 PM
This has been going on for years with TALENT MANAGERS. Talent AGENTS are already regulated. They need to fix this headline
Posted by: Stu | April 12, 2011 at 04:19 PM
I just signed with this guy!
Posted by: bruce smirnoff | April 12, 2011 at 04:43 PM
This is bizarre that a mother would move their 15 year old from where they live to go an audition. And on top of that complain AFTER she pays, and obviously signs the contract. Nobody has EVER made me give the $3000. bizarre
Posted by: SallyB | April 12, 2011 at 07:55 PM
She was sad to say very naive about this kind of thing and learned the painful lesson never to put that kind of money upfront. Legit agents, managers don't rip off aspiring actors in this fashion.
Posted by: Onboard skeptic | April 13, 2011 at 07:45 AM