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Hollywood Talent Manager Accused of Scam
A talent manager based in Beverly Hills is being charged with six criminal counts alleging that he ran a scam, reports the LA Times. Patrick O'Brien is accused of charging a mother $3,000 for photos and acting classes for her 15-year-old son, after enticing them to move to Los Angeles form Arizona under the auspices of having the boy audition for a teen sitcom.
The talent manager, who appears to operate two separate websites under the names Hollywood Talent Manager as well as Pat O'Brien Talent Management, faces charges of "grand theft, false advertising, operating an advance-fee talent representation service and failing to file a $50,000 bond with the state Labor Commission," reports the Times. The charges are filed under an act recently passed by City Councilman Paul Krekorian that targets people who would take advantage of young Hollywood hopefuls.
The charges come on the heels of similar accusations being filed against Nicholas Roses, of the Studio City-based Roses Entertainment Group.