Studio City Talent Manager Charged With Fraud

A Studio City talent manager has been charged with multiple criminal counts in connection with a talent-representation scheme that officials say lured children and their families to Hollywood.

Seven misdemeanor counts were filed against Nicholas Roses, 21, and his company, Roses Entertainment Group, including three counts of operating an advance-fee talent representation service, one count of failing to file the proper $50,000 bond with the State Labor Commission and one count of failing to use written artist contracts.

Arraignment is scheduled for May 5 in Department 81 of the Central Arraignment Court.

Deputy City Attorney Mark Lambert, who is prosecuting the case, said it was possible that some of the children involved could have been put into positions of harm.

"This problem is very widespread," Lambert said. "We get calls every week from parents and actors."

Concerns arose when three families from Ohio complained to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office. They said they had met Roses at an Ohio Talent agency workshop and that he offered to manage all of their children, then age 6, 13 and 14. The families said Roses encouraged them all to come to a "boot camp" for a summer entertainment program, and to relocate to Los Angeles.

Roses is reported to have charged the families about $3,000 for weeklong acting classes. The parents claimed the business was disorganized and didn't provide enough breaks, food or seating, according to reports. Students ranged in age from 6 to 62 and were all in the same classes, which allegedly went for 12 hours. Some students got sick, and one girl developed swollen lungs, hives and rashes, it was alleged.

Roses is accused of violating the 2009 Talent Scam Prevention Act, which was authored by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian when he was in the state Assembly.

"People like this destroy the hopes and dreams of aspiring actors all for the sake of profit,'' Krekorian said. 

“The Talent Scam Prevention Act, which I wrote and passed while a member of the State Assembly, has proved to be invaluable for local prosecutors,”  Krekorian said. “The act provides the tools they need to go after fraud artists who prey on children and others who are lured by promises of stardom and fame."

If convicted, Roses could face a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and more than $70,000 in fines.