This Hollywood Agent Is Accused Of Stealing $2 Million From Celebrities

A Hollywood agent was taken into custody in Manhattan on charges of defrauding celebrities and employees. Mark Measures, the president and former owner of the talent agency KMR, is accused of stealing over $26,000 from six employees and $1.8 million from 160 New York-based actors between June 2021 and March 2024, Manhattan officials said.

The Manhattan Supreme Court announced a 40-count indictment, including three counts of second-degree grand larceny, 28 counts of third-degree grand larceny, five counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, three counts of minor larceny, and one count of first-degree scheme for fraud, against the 60-year-old, The New York Post reported.

According to Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Rachana Pathak, the disgraced agent was driven by a desire to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

Measures allegedly enjoyed lavish self-care hotel sessions and spent $55,000 on tickets at the Crypto.com Arena, the primary location of the Los Angeles Lakers. He allegedly used the funds to pay off creditors, settle AMEX debts, pay for cars, and buy clothes at upscale retailers including Zegna, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Revolve, the report said.

The scam took holding fees and residuals from aspiring big-time performers represented by KMR, including those involved in voiceover, film, and commercial work across the country.

District Attorney Ms Pathak claimed it was during the time when "actors and agents were begging for money," adding, "Raiding escrow accounts is black-letter embezzlement."

According to the prosecution, Measures would use any possible justification to avoid paying his clients, including banks, "earthquakes, power blackouts, sick employees, and mail delays," until he finally abandoned them.

Besides the alleged 160 New York victims, prosecutors said there are over 300 victims nationwide, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Joe Gately, the actor who starred in Blue Bloods and Law & Order episodes, told The Post that he was owed $6,500 for a 2021 drug advertising campaign. Mr Gately, 59, raged outside the courthouse, calling Measures a "thief." "We've all wondered where the money went, so today offered a little information. It's not surprising at all that he couldn't pay," he added.

Measures declined to answer if he stole money from his clients and entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment.

According to the union, KMR has deactivated its franchises with SAG-AFTRA in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta as of March 22, 2024.