Talent Agency Stole Nearly $2M from NYC Actors, DA Says

NEW YORK CITY — A talent agency and its president have been charged with stealing $1.8 million from 160 New York City actors, the Manhattan District Attorney announced.

Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates and president Mark Measures are accused of receiving, and depositing, checks issued to actors from production companies yet failed to distribute the funds.

Instead, Measures diverted these funds to pay business expenses, creditors, and personal expenditures including purchases at Crypto.com Arena, the Four Seasons Hotel Spa, and clothing from high-end brands like Stuart Weitzman, Ermenedgildo Zegna, and more, prosecutors said.

When actors inquired about their payments, Measures made excuses, blaming the “bank” or “slow mail,” and promised to send out checks that either bounced or were never sent. In some instances, actors have still not received their payments for work they did years ago.

According to a 40-count indictment, Measures and the talent agency have been charged with one count of scheme to defraud, three counts of grand larceny in the Second Degree, 28 counts of grand larceny in the third Degree, five counts of grand Larceny in the fourth Degree, and three counts of Petit larceny.

"Rather than pay the actors and employees, the defendants used their hard-earned money to fund his lavish lifestyle,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “This alleged conduct is egregious, and we will continue to fight for Manhattanites to receive every dollar they earn."

The alleged scheme lasted from June 2021 through March 2024, according to prosecutors.

Until March 2024, KMR operated as a franchise of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union (SAG-AFTRA). As a SAG-AFTRA franchise, KMR was required to hold funds from production companies in trust and disburse such funds to actors “promptly,” meaning within seven business days after deducting a 10% commission.

The majority of the alleged theft involved residual payments and holding fees, which can be difficult to monitor. Most of the actors filmed commercials, voiced advertisements, and appeared in television shows like "Law & Order" while juggling other jobs to pursue full-time acting careers in New York City, prosecutors said.

At least two actors live with disabilities, others relied on their earnings to cover essential medical procedures, and many suffered financial hardships due to KMR’s theft.

In addition, KMR is accused of stealing $26,000 from 401(k) accounts of six employees in New York City, deducting the money from their paychecks but never investing it, prosecutors said.

Measures pleaded not guilty to charges on Tuesday.