In April '08 I was one of the 6-10 promo models hired by this sleazebag operation, via Lauren Hargrove and The Agency Inc and some DC publicists and a new AT & T store, to work an event. The new AT & T store was opening right at the Chinatown Metro stop, and AT & T was sponsoring "American Idol", so there was going to be a singing competition @ the store just like the famous one, with tickets to go to LA and be in the audience to the famous one for the grand prize. Local celebs would stand in for Simon, Randy and Paula. For a week before, the promo crew here went to the Cherry Blossom Parade, Nats and Wizards games, Georgetown, college campuses, hot shopping areas, you name it, with fortune cookies that had "fortunes" about the contest. We got rained on. We froze in the high winds. The day of the contest there were lines down the street. And I sure haven't seen any money. All I got was some kind of whopping cold!
Nobody @ The Agency or Promo Models or whatever they're calling themselves this week returns my calls, and the one email I got back from Hilary Troutman the accountant asked what days and times I worked. Come on, she doesn't have the paperwork? Oh right, they had a family emergency and they're really behind cause they're so successful or the house burned down but they'll get right to you, thanks so much for being patient while they screw you, would you like to buy a bridge in Brooklyn? I mean, no one ever answers the phone, seriously, what kind of agency is this? NO ONE. Lauren Hargrove, I gather, does not work there, but who does? The address I had on my contract, 4475 Mission Blvd. # 217 San Diego 92109, now seems to belong to a swimwear company. The address on Ingraham St. For Promo Models, which is another name for the same company (I gather) is just a mailbox.
Eric Bochniarz has contacted me, and about 100 other promo models who were ripped off by Lucas Beddows and this multi-named agency. I'll help him, and I've also filed a complaint with the BBB of San Diego. I hope everyone else who's been waiting to get their money will take action. Don't let them get away with it. This is about more than just us, folks. Silence keeps these creeps in business.
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