Some allegedly ripped off and pissed off clients of KMR Talent got a taste of justice today as CEO Mark Measures faced a New York judge on charges of stealing almost $2 million.
A year after the vaulted agency essentially crashed and burned as dozens and dozens of clients were burned with unpaid residuals and tax burdens, the indicted Measures turned himself in this morning to the Manhattan D.A. In a just completed arraignment, the company and the executive faced 40-counts of fleecing about 160 clients over a period from June 2021 to March 2024.
For such white-collar crimes, Measures could be looking at more than 15 years behind bars if found guilty. According to DA Alvin Braggs’ office, Measures and KMR stole $1.8 million from clients and $26,000 from the 401 (k) accounts of employees in the company’s NYC office. To that, the defendants are charged one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, 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.
“As alleged, Mark Measures and KMR stole approximately $1.8 million from 160 hard working actors, many of whom were balancing other jobs to stay afloat while pursuing their acting careers, DA Alvin Bragg said in a statement after the court hearing was over. “These defendants also stole thousands of dollars from his employees by taking wages that were meant to be invested in their retirement accounts. Rather than pay the actors and employees, the defendants used their hard-earned money to fund his lavish lifestyle. This alleged conduct is egregious, and we will continue to fight for Manhattanites to receive every dollar they earn. This is an ongoing investigation – if you are a victim, please contact our office at (646) 712-0298.”
With no bail required under the statutes of the Empire State, Measures was able to walk out of court Tuesday after entering a plea of not guilty. Still, for at least one victim of KMR, seeing Measures in court Tuesday was fulfilling.
“I am very happy that he was indicted and has turned himself in,” says Joe Gately “And I am extremely grateful to Assistant DA Rachana Pathak and everyone in the DA’s office for taking our case seriously and for all the work they’ve done to bring him to justice. He bounced a check to me, three times, for the renewal of a print campaign associated with a national commercial and I’m out $6500.00.”
On Tuesday, the NY-based Gately was in the courtroom to see Measures in handcuffs. “It was very satisfying to bear witness to that.”
Lynette Rice contributed to this report
