Mark Measures, a longtime talent agent, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of bilking 160 actors out of $1.8 million.
Measures, 60, of Los Angeles, is also accused of stealing $26,000 from six employees of his agency, Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates.
Measures was indicted in Manhattan on 40 counts, including grand larceny, petit larceny and scheming to defraud. The Manhattan D.A.’s office alleged that Measures diverted clients’ funds to pay his personal and business expenses, and that during the scheme he bought items at Crypto.com Arena and clothing from luxury brands.
Measures and his attorney did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
According to the D.A.’s office, Measures stole residuals and holding fees from commercial actors, voiceover actors, and actors on shows like “Law & Order.” He offered an range of excuses for non-payment, including bank issues, earthquakes, and power outages, according to the D.A. He would personally reassure clients that they would get their money, though he ultimately ceased all communications with them, the D.A.’s office stated.
The D.A.’s office quoted messages from clients to Measures demanding their money. One message sought payment of $19,000.
“Those funds (that seem to have been stolen by you at this point) were to be used for my IVF treatment,” the actor wrote. “I am (in) the doctor’s office in tears as you’ve put me in a really challenging financial position by stealing my almost $20,000 from me.”
Measures also diverted employee money that was supposed to go to 401(k) retirement accounts, the D.A.’s office alleges.
Measures has previously been accused in civil suits of failing to pay numerous debts. In one such case, Brian Cade, an actor in New Jersey, alleged that Measures had withheld at least $128,000 in compensation, blaming “bank restrictions” for a series of late and irregular payments.
According to the lawsuit, SAG-AFTRA issued a warning to members last year that KMR was not paying clients what they were owed. Numerous other actors have voiced complaints about non-payments on social media platforms.
In December, American Express sued Measures, alleging that he owed $97,000 in unpaid balances.
