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  Manhattan D.A. Announces 40-Count Indictment Of Talent Agency For Stealing $1.8 Million From 160 Actors
  

  The following describes a pending government action that has been formally brought by a government agency but has not yet been resolved. We are providing a summary of the governments allegations, which have not yet been proven.

  
  

  On April 22, 2025, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. announced the indictment of KAZARIAN/MEASURES/ RUSKIN & Associates (“KMR”) and MARK MEASURES, 60, for allegedly stealing approximately $1.8 million from 160 actors and approximately $26,000 in wages from employees in KMR’s New York City office between June 23, 2021, and March 22, 2024. KMR and MEASURES are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with 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.
  
   
  
  According to court documents and statements made on the record, between June 23, 2021, and March 22, 2024, KMR, a talent agency representing actors in film, commercial, and voiceover work nationwide, received, and deposited checks issued to actors “care of KMR,” yet failed to distribute the funds. Instead, MEASURES, President of KMR, diverted these funds to pay business expenses, creditors, and personal expenditures. 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.
  
  
  
  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. 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.

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