Movies

L.A.-based agent Mark Measures indicted in Manhattan, accused of stealing from actor clients

BBG News

Mark Measures, a seasoned talent agent based in Los Angeles for many years, has been charged alongside his agency, Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin and Associates, following allegations that he embezzled over $1.8 million from approximately 160 actors and around $26,000 in wages from employees at the New York City office of the agency.

In a statement released on Tuesday, New York County District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. noted that many of the individuals who lost funds were juggling multiple jobs to sustain themselves while chasing their acting dreams. The funds that the suspect is accused of stealing from his employees, according to Bragg, were intended for their retirement savings accounts.

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Instead of using funds for actor and staff compensation, it’s claimed that the defendants squandered their earnings on [Measures’] extravagant lifestyle. This alleged behavior, as described by Bragg, is highly reprehensible.

Measures, who boasts a roster of high-profile clients such as Elizabeth Perkins from “Big” and “This Is Us,” Merrin Dungey of “Alias,” Jerry Mathers of “Leave It to Beaver,” and TV host Bob Eubanks, did not promptly respond to The Times’ email seeking comment.

Authorities claim Measures used funds at Crypto.com Arena and a Four Seasons Hotel spa, as well as purchasing high-end items from retailers such as Stuart Weitzman and Ermenegildo Zegna. The agency provided explanations for the missing funds, citing reasons like earthquakes, power outages, sick staff members, bank and postal delays, according to the district attorney’s office.

The district attorney’s office stated that he frequently reached out to several actors, both by phone and email, to assure them they would receive their payment without any disagreement over the due amount. However, it was noted that he eventually stopped communicating with these actors entirely.

Although some major film studios have stepped back from implementing comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures, SAG-AFTRA, a significant player among Hollywood unions, remains steadfast in supporting its DEI efforts.

In this case, there are 40 charges in total against Measures and KMR. One charge is for first-degree fraud scheme, while three charges are for second-degree grand theft, 28 charges are for third-degree grand theft, five charges are for fourth-degree grand theft, and three charges are for petty theft. The accused crimes occurred between June 23, 2021, and March 22, 2024, as court records indicate.

Most of the suspected crimes revolved around tricky leftover payments and service charges that performers in New York City, who made appearances in commercials, voiceovers for advertisements, or shows such as “Law & Order,” were reportedly earning, as per the prosecutors.

According to a statement from the district attorney’s office, Measures, who was the head of KMR, allegedly used funds for business costs, debts, and personal spending instead of distributing them as promised. When inquiries were made about payments by the performers, Measures gave explanations such as ‘the bank’ or ‘slow mail,’ and assured them that checks would be issued which either bounced or never arrived. The unfortunate truth is that several victims are yet to receive their due payments.

As a franchised entity of SAG-AFTRA, KMR (now permanently shut down) was obligated to keep production company funds in a trust account and distribute the payments to actors swiftly, usually within seven business days. Before disbursing, agents were supposed to deduct a 10% commission from the total amount.

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According to the district attorney’s office, it appears that funds meant for KMR employees’ 401(k) retirement savings, from September 2023 to March 2024, were supposedly misappropriated instead.

Since March 2024, when KMR’s Instagram account stopped functioning as a SAG-AFTRA franchised agency, it has been inundated with comments from last year that accuse the agency of misappropriating funds and recommend actors to receive their payments directly from production companies instead of through KMR.

In her post from last July, actress Kate Amundsen warned: “Stay away from Mark Measures; he’s a deceitful individual.” For years, she claimed, he swindled numerous people like myself. Avoid him at all costs; he is a fraudulent artist. It’s disgraceful, Mark.

Since 2013, Amundsen’s career has featured roles in television series like “Criminal Minds” and “9-1-1: Lone Star.

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2025-04-23 03:31

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