Alec DeFrawy aka "the Egyptian" - central figure in this scam
Well, out of total curiosity, I wanted to find out if TCT was related to the old Studio 58 Models back in 2000', and it was. I worked there from 02 to 11 and saw it all. I was a TE (talent executive) and worked with all those guys: Alec, Terri, Tom, Joe, and was surprised to still see them up and running.
First the truth:
(1) A lot of good, ethical people worked there. Unfortunately none of them were decision makers.
(2) Models did sleep with managers.
(3) Enrollment fees used to only be $225. $495 now? Incredible.
(4) Terri was the only TE that made money worth while because she was good at selling the dream.
(5) Not only was I a TE, but I hired sales reps to sell our internet advertising services. But listen to this: They trained themselves (the new hires) after paying a $395 deposit on their training materials. It was supposed to be refunded at a certain sales achievement. Alec told them 3 - 4 months to reach that goal. Out Orlando test groups never came close. Realistically it would take 2 - 3 years to get the deposit based on statistical analysis. I had reps cry in front of me because they couldn't pay their bills. That is when I quit for ethical reasons.
Second: What I did about it. I reported everything. I kept very important documentation that was secret to the company (Alec, you can cry now) and the FTC (Washington, DC branch) and BBB called me and we had informative, professional conversation. The FTC sent a FedEX guy to my house with an envelope that I filled with about 60 pages of documentation. He was instructed to wait for me to put it all together. They didn't want to wait any longer.
Third: The good news. The BBB and FTC have paid employees for inside information, by getting them in as employees (another tissue Alec?) and accumulating data. I will disclose this now because it has been going on for a while. Open calls have been secretly videotaped, although from a legal standpoint there was nothing done wrong there. Does anyone remember seeing it on the local Orlando news?
Fourth: My advice. Don't work there unless you need a coke connection and have no ethical values. Keep the complaints coming. Our best weapon is word of mouth.
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