2 at Talent Agency Get 30 Days in Jail for False Promises

Two operators of a Beverly Hills talent agency who claimed they could turn children into actors and models have been ordered to spend 30 days in jail for making false promises to parents, who sometimes paid thousands of dollars upfront.

Alexander Zafrin, 37, and David Leroy Harris, 48, pleaded no contest in Los Angeles Municipal Court this week to a variety of misdemeanors involving claims that they could secure auditions with Hollywood casting directors. Zafrin, an owner of West Coast Talent Ltd., also was ordered to deposit $75,000 into an account to repay the parents.

The agency itself pleaded no contest to four counts of grand theft.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office brought the charges after receiving complaints from 22 families. Since then, 76 more people have come forward with claims that they were misled or bilked by the agency, Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark Lambert said.

Most of the parents had been enticed by telemarketers to bring their children to auditions sponsored by West Coast Talent, Lambert said.

After the auditions, he said, the agency pressured clients to pay fees for acting classes, photo portfolios and the chance to audition in front of casting directors.

Lambert said the families never got such auditions.

Tom Mesereau, a lawyer representing Zafrin and West Coast Talent, denied that accusation. He said that his client’s track record in getting children hired was “way above the industry average” and that the agency not only trained children, but got them Hollywood auditions and work.

“We feel that people are simply jumping on the bandwagon and claiming they didn’t get anything out of this,” he said. “But without the classes we provided, no agent would end up seeing them.”

Sandy Bosnich, one of the original claimants, said she paid $6,000 to West Coast Talent after she was told her three daughters all had the potential for success in commercials. She said the company provided photographs and acting classes but never fulfilled the promise of work.

“My family lost a lot of money,” she said.

Zafrin and Harris, an office manager, pleaded to charges that included making false statements, misrepresenting an employment counseling service as a job placement service, and accepting fees without a contract giving parents the right to cancel.

Municipal Judge Stephen A. Marcus ordered Zafrin and Harris on Wednesday to begin their jail terms by May, followed by three years’ probation. Zafrin also must perform 200 hours of community service.

In addition, the judge ordered Zafrin to repay families who can prove they were victimized.

Marcus called a June hearing at which parents may present their claims. The hearing, which will allow cross-examination, will be used to determine the full extent of damages owed to each victim.