TransContinental Talent Options Lori Cunningham the reality is a form of slavery Phoenix Arizona
TCT advertises dream job but, the reality is a form of slavery .....
I've been a fan of this site and have been surprised that TCTalent wasn't entered in the state of Arizona. I too was emailed about a job, and being a freelance journalst with no steady pay, the base pay plus commission they promise seemed inviting.
The interview process took an entire day. It started with about 90 people. We were told to stand up and say something about ourselves. We were also told about the company. Lori Cunningham, the director in Phoenix, cut it down to about 25 people. We were pretty much it for some arbritary reason.
Our training lasted for about an hour. We were given pamplets that seemed as if they were telling you what kind of people to look for, but the curveball is that they also (supposively) for actors and, as we all know, an actor doesn't have to be pretty. So they don't say it, but ANYONE can be approached to be part of TCT. I was a scout for three days before I said screw. They tell you that you have to attend at least 2 open calls a week, where you are still not paid.
There was one older man at the open call i went to that had been with the company for a couple of months and apparently you do get paid. It was hard to come to grips with this company as a scam, but it finally made sense after I read this site and also, after I saw it was a numbers game and that we were basically sent out to pool in as many people as possible.
It simply wasn't worth it and I don't beleive it is legit. They had us sign a document about not talking to the media while employed. We were also given business cards with a fake name, Phoebe Atkins. We were told she doesn't exist and only serves as a locator for other offices. (Phoebe = Phoenix). Screwy to say the least.
F.
Chandler, Arizona
4 Updates & Rebuttals
DT
Tampa,Florida,
U.S.A.
Response to Marie, Orlando - the Bush brothers are to blame
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, October 23, 2004
Sorry for the delay. I just recently saw your response. I have been corresponding with this website to get assurances of my privacy. I am mad as hell, but also cautious.
You mention that you have small "children."
I have two questions:
1) Are either of them boys?
2) Were they ever in Michael's care?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes call the Florida Abuse Hotline NOW! 1-800-962-2873.
He has somebody protecting him. The whole time he worked the talent scam he was violating his parole and they knew it and did nothing about it.
I am so sick that Gov. Bush has done nothing about greater assurances for kids. He knows that he is on his way out, so all he has to do is speak on camera whenever it gets windy.
He goes out of his way to avoid conflict with arabs who abuse children and obviously tells his attorney generel to leave him alone. This el-Difrawi is a terrorist of the worst kind. He is a sexual and emotional terrorist and harms people in the ways it hurts most. Even the feds don't bother. I'm sure Jeb tells his brother, "Don't let them make me look bad."
Marie
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
nephew who suffered abuse at the hands of Mr. Defrawy
#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, December 12, 2003
DT of Tampa, Pls respond
This is in response to DT's (Tampa, FL) last posting regarding his nephew who suffered abuse at the hands of Mr. Defrawy. I was his girlfriend of two years during the eModel/Options/TCT saga, i was also in exec. mgmt. You may notice the company's VP of New Faces name is mine "Marie Spears" I would normallly never rebuttle to any of the postings on this site (or any other); however, i have an ache in my heart for the trama your nephew faced in Tampa 13 years ago. I have two small children of my own, and i have been suspiscious of malicious intent by "Michael" to harm them. In fact one has suffered injuries while alone with him. Please respond.
DT
Tampa,Florida,
U.S.A.
Orlando Federal Judge declares no Jurisdiction in Pearlman's lawsuit againt Rip-off Report, ..My nephew was abused by Michael El-Difrawi
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, September 15, 2003
I wanted to include this article as part of the documentation of this huge rip-off.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-biztranscon13091303sep13.story
Internet site to keep operating
A federal judge said she doesn't have jurisdiction in a case brought by a Lou Pearlman company.
By Tim Barker | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 13, 2003
Lou Pearlman's Wilhelmina Scouting Network has suffered a setback in its bid to shut down a Web site that warns consumers to stay away from his Internet-based model-scouting company.
A lawsuit against Badbusinessbureau, filed in federal court in Orlando, was dismissed by Judge Anne Conway, who ruled that she did not have jurisdiction.
Ed Magedson, the Web site's creator, said the legal maneuvering by Wilhelmina was little more than an effort to silence a critic.
"They knew they didn't have jurisdiction. They just wanted to cost us money," Magedson said. "They have in-house lawyers who pump out these boilerplate lawsuits."
Wilhelmina officials could not be reached for comment.
It isn't known whether the company will pursue the lawsuit elsewhere.
"If they do, it would be absolutely ridiculous. It would just draw more negative publicity for themselves," said Frank Torelli, an investigator for the Web site who also was named in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleged trademark infringement, unfair competition and defamation.
Badbusinessbureau operates the ripoffreport, which includes scathing commentary about Pearlman's company, known both as Trans Continental Talent and Wilhelmina Scouting Network.
The lawsuit asked the court to prohibit the Web site from using the Trans Continental name anywhere on its pages.
"Defendants, by improperly using this trademark, are misleading the public into believing that their services are connected with" Trans Continental Talent, according to the lawsuit.
The suit also alleged that there are numerous false statements published on the site.
Web sites like this have long been a source of irritation for the company, which has said "slanderous Internet postings" are one of the reasons for its problems with customers. Such sites have convinced many customers that something could be wrong with the services sold by Wilhelmina/Trans Continental. The company puts would-be models on the Internet, where they have a chance of being seen by casting agents and modeling agencies.
The company has been under investigation for more than a year by the Florida Attorney General's Office, which has received some 1,300 complaints from consumers. Among other things, customers have complained they were misled with promises that work in the fashion industry would be easy to find.
The company says it makes no such promises.
Tim Barker can be reached at tbarker@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5022.
Copyright 2003, Orlando Sentinel
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I have been watching those who have been writing about being victimized by this scam because I am relative of another kind of victim; those who have the misfortune of developing relationships with these horrible people.
My nephew was abused by Michael El-Difrawi, who I understand now goes by the name of Alec Defrawy. He attacked my nephew about 13 years ago. He was only 4 years old at the time. Michael hit him in the stomach and scared him so badly that he messed his pants, which is not unusual for a grown-up. Michael was not even supposed to be around him either.
CLICK HERE: To see the two charges filed against Alec Defrawy.
CLICK HERE: To see Alec modus operandi when faced with a legal complaint; register as an indigent. Then
Disillusioned/Would Like To Remain Anonymous
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
TCTalent? What Talent?
#5UPDATE Employee
Mon, February 24, 2003
I am currently a scout for TC and I am quitting tommorrow morning! I joined on because I thought it was a great idea to post "talent" on a website. Little did I know that I really didn't need to find talented good looking people at all, just put bodies in the seats! I am a entertainer myself (singer/Songwriter) and I really wanted to help out other people looking to get into the entertainment industry, but scouting doesn't help anyone, except for Lou Pearlman's pockets! I am sorry I even scouted 1 person, I hope nobody signs. I just needed to vent my disappointment, TCTalent can kiss my "#$#@%". They suck! I am going to get a real job now and get paid!