A state judge has ruled that a Long Island business must pay a $10,000 civil penalty and reimburse customers for its false statements, tough sales tactics and expensive photo shoots made in the promise of helping aspiring models and actors break into the fashion and entertainment industries. Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey A. Spinner (See Profile) has barred City Model and Talent Development from recruiting potential models and actors without first disclosing the associated marketing costs and has prohibited the Islandia-based business from charging customers’ credit cards without their prior consent. The ruling, People v. City Model and Talent Development, 09-22233, also demands reimbursement plus 9-percent interest for four customers, a civil penalty and $4,000 for attorney’s costs borne by the state attorney general’s office.
City Model representatives approached parents and children in shopping malls and other public places saying candidates had “the look.” The company presented itself as a “scouting company” that could land auditions and casting calls. But Justice Spinner found at least one case when a potential customer arrived at the office for an interview, and was convinced “by subterfuge and otherwise” to sign an expensive contract for photo services. He also faulted the business for presenting itself as connected to the fashion and entertainment industries and charging customers’ credit cards without their consent.
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