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Robella LLC Wesley Cochran Scam Not Legal, Scam, New York, Chicago BEWARE New York Nationwide
Avoiding Bad Deals and Bad Contracts from Robella LLC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Warner Music, Robella, LLC, and Bad Dealings…
Description: Many new music artists have to be cautious in their dealings with record labels, as even major labels have been known for bad dealings.
CHICAGO, IL, 04/18/2014 – We have heard stories and rumors of how artists, performers, actors/actresses and models sometimes end up in shady deals, as recently illustrated by the TLC movie. Many of us think that these deals only happen with small companies, but what happens when the company comes backed by a major label? In the case of Robella, LLC, they come backed by Warner Entertainment and David Michery, the Warner executive whom paid Nate Dogg’s medical bills (see resources).
Robella, LLC is run and owned by Sergio Saia whom has over a decade in the entertainment industry; however, not all their dealings are fair. Sergio’s right hand, Wesley Cochran, is known for finding artists and placing them under Robella, who sends those artists to Warner Music Group and David Michery for final approval and signing. The contracts and letters used to solicit entertainers and artists are neither legal nor binding, according to the samples we have seen, nor are their music deals favorable.
So, what are these deals they sign artists to? Well, if you’re an artist that is getting radio play or are an underground talent, Robella will likely come to you saying they work for Warner, Sony or Interscope. They will send you an LOI (letter of interest) that has no legal relevance, then Wesley will use his personality to ‘hype’ the artist and get them to overlook small details. Those details include little to no advance, along with a lengthy explanation of why advances are the worst thing in the world. Artists are then expected to go to a local studio on their own time (often while still working a full time job) and produce their record. During this time, artists receive minimal supervision and no financial support; however, if the artist is a group receiving regular and frequent radio plays (“spins”) and are performing regularly at clubs and venues, then the group may be able to negotiate a $25k advance (for the entire group, not each individual).
Sergio and Wesley also use Robella, LLC to place artists at events, such as the appearance of Whodini and “Lil G”, of the group Silk, at a Bermingham, AL show during Nov. of 2013. While these events normally go off without a hitch, Robella will likely charge an extra 50% to double for the artist’s appearance. There have also been reports of artists not showing up for a Robella deal, due to allegedly misspending/mishandling financial resources that were intended to pay an artist: essentially ‘borrowing’ the money to pay for another show’s artist, then playing catch-up later.
So, how do you avoid being scammed by these so-called entertainment professionals? If you are an upcoming artist, it is advised to be cautious and find an experienced agent with a long talent list to take you as their client. A great way to check up on companies and individuals is to search ripoffreport.com and other “scam” websites, in order to see if the person you are dealing with is listed. Finally, visit their website. In the entertainment industry, websites are necessary, and the quality of a website speaks volumes about the quality a company can offer you.
Wesley Cochran has also worked for Pioneer Sports and Entertainment, Inc. in St. Louis, MO and Sergio Saia is also a realtor in Saint James, NY, under Executive Group Realty, and is the COO of International Film and Music, Inc., along with the GM of David Michery Group.
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4 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
Chicago Heights,Illinois,
Proof in Documentation
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, November 10, 2014
There is proof to assert these claims. In addition, Wesley was reported to have been fired from Robella, LLC for mishandling funds/monetary interests. All encounters, contracts, emails and receipts have been recorded and saved (along with dialogue, obtained during live conversation, not telephonic). There are also other events and recorded timelines, involving Wesley Cochran performing schemes toward monetary gain at the expense of others, and statements have been taken from these individuals whom have been wronged by him. The only attempts made were that of monetary recovery for loss (the claim of extortion is erroneous).
Wesley Cochran worked under Robella, LLC and claimed to have worked for Warner Music Group, Sony, Interscope and other companies involved in the music business. Upon calling these companies, no records of Wesley Cochran's employment were found. To date, Sergio's involvement with Wesley appeared to be solely through Robella, LLC and a few music 'gig' contracts, as an investor, and he was not fully aware of Wesley's misdeeds, until later (though he was aware of certain music contracts that were less than legally enforceable and placed music artists at a disadvantage). All of these documents have been saved and recorded as recourse against retaliation.
TheTruthOut
Alabama,NOT EXTORTION BUT RATHER A LEGAL SETTLEMENT
#5Author of original report
Tue, May 06, 2014
As the reporter that was attached and sent all the emails on this matter and released this to several bloggers and of course Rip Off Report, I can assure the public that this WAS NOT an extortation matter.
What the above rebuttals fail to state is that they were sent a LEGAL and BINDING settlement agreement along with all emails.
Tye Farley is a reputable and successful government crisis manager and is in no way associated with extortion and knowing that he only deals in political crisis, I would also be lead to believe that words have been twisted in this case.
I have the tapes of all the conversation had with both parties (which would not be released) and NO WHERE was it stated that a reputation would be ruined. I understand your need to do damage control at this time, but to expand the more lies that company tells would not be the way to do it.
You also mentioned a person by the name of Sean (the victim of your company) He has also provided a series of emails that show that Mr. Cochrane was indeed working for you and that he was hired to handle company business.
That law is very particular on the definition of Extortation, and when someone sends you a Settle Agreement, that would NOT fall in that definition.
To mention those names in this report now make you libel and they will be notified of the slander in your previous rebuttals.
Exectvegrp
st james,New York,
False report
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, April 29, 2014
his report is false.
Mr. Cochrane was not employed for Robella LLC at any time.
In fact he was an independant contractor who provided Robella with potential acts to be signed onto our ESMG imprint Label.
Robella was never paid any fees directly or indirectly from Mr. Cochcrane.
No acts were ever signed onto our label.
Robella never charged anyone any money for any services.
In fact we were duped out of $ 3000 loaned to Mr. Cochrane on a promise that a show he was holding in St Louis Missouri would produce a profit, but no profit or any money was produced and subsequently stopped doing business with Mr. Cochrane.
A couple of weeks ago an extortion attempt was made against us from an ex employee of Mr. Cochrane looking for $ 15,000 in back wages.
We assume that this person Sean Hagel is the author of this false complain.
We have already filed a complain with the FBI and will shortly resolve this matter with the authorities.
This report is completely false.
Exectvegrp
st james,New York,
This was an extortion attempt.
#5UPDATE Employee
Mon, April 21, 2014
While it is entirely possible that Mr. Cochrane acted illegally, at no time was he an employee of Robella LLC and of Sergio Saia.
Mr. Cochrane was an AR (a talent scout) that provided us with leads to artists that wished to get signed up under our imprint label with ESMG Warner.
There was never a charge for that, unless Mr. Cochrane did it on his own and without our permission.
A week or so ago I received an e-mail from a TYE Farley a "Crisis Manager" with no visible name on the internet or otherwise demanding $ 15,000.00 or he would "ruin" our reputation.below see a portion of the e-mail.
Good Afterrnoon Mr. Saia,
My name is Tye Farley and Attached you will find a legal and crisis demand letter.
I handle political and legal crisis management contracted through the Department of Defense and for 30 high profile law firms around the country. I, along with my legal resources, have been retained by Sean Heupel to prevent a matter before it escalates to a court room and fraud investigation.
Given your expressed desire for expediency, we are prepared to accept a settlement of $15,000.00, for the next (4) business days, to be concluded this Thurday, the 17th of April, 2014 at 5pm PST, for which the settlement agreement must be signed and evidence shown that the check has already been mailed (as can be demonstrated with a UPS, USPS or FedEx tracking number). If settlement has not been met, by this time, then the previous amount of acceptance will be withdrawn and the acceptance value will increase to $20,000.00, as is more proportionate for a case, such as this. After which time, if settlement has not been shown to have been overnight mailed along with documents signed (as can be shown with an appropriate tracking number), within (4) business days of the previous date listed, then immediate legal action will ensue.
So to recap, Mr. Cochrane did not work for Robella or me personally, he was an independant contractor.
Mr. Cochrane is no longer an AR for our company and this matter has been referred to the FBI and the various local DA's offices to pursue as an extortion case.