Video Company Owners Accused of Bilking Clients

The owners of a West Hills video company were arrested Tuesday, accused of collecting money to videotape weddings and other celebrations but failing to provide clients with finished videotapes, according to the Los Angeles city attorney.

James Robert Kirby, 40, and his wife, Elizabeth Michele Kirby, 34, the owners of Continental Video Productions, were charged with criminal conspiracy, grand theft and other counts stemming from an investigation of their home-based business, Classic Video, by Los Angeles Police Department detectives and the county Department of Consumer Affairs.

The investigation, spurred by 40 consumer complaints, included a March 23 search of the Kirby home in which 822 videocassettes, complaint letters, and photos and memorabilia belonging to victims were discovered, according to the city attorney.

After clients paid $300 to $1,000 to have their events taped, Elizabeth Kirby would show up at the events with a video camera, but the company did not provide the edited tapes or a refund to victims, city officials said.

The criminal complaint names 33 victims, who claim total losses of $17,000, said Deputy City Atty. P. Greg Parham.

Elizabeth Kirby was released from Van Nuys Jail on Tuesday after posting $30,000 bail. Her husband, whose bail was the same amount, remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, an LAPD spokeswoman said.