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MM2/ MM2 Productions Richard Cruz Stole $800 from non-profit family run youth organization. San Dimas California
In the month of January 2013, Mr. Cruz contacted our organization via telephone. Introducing himself as a talent promoter, contracted out to represent an existing agency called the E League. He offered an opportunity to our company for our students to perform in an upcoming event, which would feature several performing arts schools as well as A-list celebrity entertainers.
After exercising what we thought was our due diligence via the internet as well as documentation provided by Mr. Cruz. We entered into a contract with Mr. Cruz and MM2 productions. After repeated cancellation of events and several failed attempts to contact him directly. We are forced to bring his irresponsibility and broken promises to public light.
Our organization paid Mr. Cruz a total of $800 for this event. Mr. Cruz personally came to our home to accept the money where we collected from the guardians of children who were performing.
The first event our youth were scheduled to particpate in was Feburary 10, 2013. Our organization attempted to contact Mr. Cruz on mulitple occasions for more information regarding this event , but to no avail.
A few days before the performance we had received no information regarding the event. Therefore, our students could not perform for this event, because we had aquired no further information from Mr. Cruz.
After multiple attempts to contact Mr. Cruz via telephone, and multiple voice messeges. We finally heard back from him. At this time our organization asked if he could reschedule us for another event, at that time he gave us the date Feburary 24th.
In regards to the Feburary 24th date, Mr. Cruz contacted us days before the event and informed us that, that event had been cancelled. He then told us of a March 10, where the E-Leauge basketball game became the Agames. He told us that the event was bigger and better, and more exposure for our students. He used the excuse that women A-list celebrities wanted to be apart, but didn't want to play basketball. So that is why the Agames were created; so men and women A-list celebrities could both participate.
Once again, days before this event (March 10) he *Text* our Director and informed us that the event had been cancelled. He then rescheduled us for the March 24th agames tip-off party event that would be held at the cinemark theater in Orange County. At that time he informed our organization that we would be given a penthouse for our students to stay while at the agames.
Days before this event, our director was contacted via telephone by Mr. Cruz saying he left the passes for the event outside her home. He did not call and inform her he was coming by. Once again, he contacted us a couple of days after, saying this event was also cancelled. The excuse he used was the cinemark theater establishment failed to properly schedule the performance.
At this time our organization started to become increasingly irritated. We began to realize his inconsistancy, and irresponsibility were growing rapidily.
Upon cancellation of the March 24th event, he told us about an April 14th event that would be held at the Pomona Fairplex. At that time he informed our Director that she and her employees would be the host of this event. He promised this would give our organization more exposure, and create more opportunities for our organization to be known.
He also told us about an opportunity for us to host an event in Miami on April 6th and 7th. He promised that he would provide airfare, and our hotel stay. Along with $500 each for those who participated in the hosting gig.
We continue to contact Mr. Cruz once more to no avail did we receive a response. Finally, on March 29th he contacted us and said the hosting gig in Miami was still a go. But gave us no further information regarding the hosting. He then confirmed the April 14th event was a go, and everything was set and in stone. We were relieved at this information, knowing that our kids and parents would finally be getting what they paid for in February.
We continued to contact Mr. Cruz just to make sure nothing had changed, and the performance was still a go. Like always we heard nothing back from him.
On April 9th at 12:50am, our Director received an email from Mr. Cruz stating this event had been cancelled because he could get the celebrities to act right, and couldn't accommodate their demanding needs. He also made no mention of the Miami hosting gig. I guess he felt that we were suppose to just forget he ever mention/promised it.
He then told us by April 15th he would refund the $800 via cashiers check. We did not recieve the cashiers check at the appropriate time. We contacted him and stated that we did not receive the check. He then told us he sent it to the wrong zip code, and he would cancel the cashiers check and will be resending it.
At that time our Executive Directore contacted him and informed him that if we did not receive the check by Saturday, we would report him to various website such as ripoffreport.com
Mr. Cruz replied instantly, (the quickest we have ever heard from him). He then informed us that he was now homeless and had upcoming events that would help him get on his feet.
He then asked if we could give him until Moday because the bank would not release the funds until that time. At this time we knew we were scammed. Therefore, there was no need for a respose on our end. He was giving us excuse after excuse.
Monday came around, and there was no check and no response from Mr. Cruz.