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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Consumer Protection has entered into a settlement agreement with Tru Talent Management SLC Inc. and Brandi Frommelt over the talent agency’s business practices in Utah.
By signing the agreement, Tru Talent agreed to pay a $40,000 fine for consumer restitution, not conduct business in Utah for one year, cease all wage garnishments and waive all collection agency actions against current Tru Talent customers.
"These folks have been pressured into paying money and (signing) a contract, and high-pressure sales tactics, etc., of promising children were going to be in the movies and be on Disney and all those kinds of nonsensical things," said Francine Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce.
They misrepresented what they were going to do for people in Utah, and as a result, the department of commerce felt like it was a violation of the law and it pursued them, Giani said.
In a KSL-TV investigation two years ago, Whitney Moore described her experience with a Tru Talent agent. “He said, ‘That was great. I really want to get you signed up,’” she said. “So I’m thinking ‘Oh! I’m gonna get a job. They’re going to be an agency for me.’”
But Moore said Tru Talent did not live up to her expectations. “They don’t get you jobs,” she said. “I don’t know what the courses are like. I was never able to take them. I’m paying for services I never received.”
When told of the settlement on Tuesday, Moore’s mother said she was pleased.
To be eligible for a claim in the settlement, consumers must have had signed contracts with Tru Talent dated before the agreement. In addition, the division is allowing consumers to file claims with Consumer Protection until Dec. 31, 2011.
Consumers may file a complaint for claim regarding Tru Talent through the Utah Division of Consumer Protection website at www.dcp.utah.gov or by calling 801-530‐6601 for more information.
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Written by Jasen Lee with contributions from Nkoyo Iyamba.
