Complaints Mount Against Pearlman's Modeling Network
Attorney General Investigates Company
POSTED: 11:11 am EDT July 11,
2003
UPDATED: 5:42 pm EDT July 21,
2003
The Florida attorney general is currently reviewing thousands of complaints against Wilhelmina Scouting Network run by entertainment icon Lou Pearlman, according to a Problem Solvers exclusive investigation
Problem Solver Wendy Saltzman reported that the Wilhelmina Scouting Network turns young hopefuls into top super models. And the face behind the company is Orlando's Pearlman, who is known for discovering *NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys and Britany Spears.Local 6 News reported that the Florida Attorney General's Office is nearing a settlement with Pearlman after opening a fraud investigation nearly a year ago."We've opened our investigation to look into deceptive and unfair trade practices," Florida's Assistant Attorney General Jackie Dowd said. "We've received a complaint from I think every state and some even from people in other countries."Local 6 News interviewed one of Wilhelmina's self-proclaimed dream doctors. 
"When I believe, I can make people believe," former Wilhelmina scout manager Tara Doyle said. "The sky's the limit. That's how it was presented."The report also featured Rachelle Regis who was scouted by Wilhelimina on her college campus."These people are preying on people's dreams," Regis said. "'You are so beautiful, how are you not a model? We'll make you a model. You could be the next Tyra Banks.' That's the kind of stuff you hear."Local 6 News reported that the company required money from Regis for services."I remember him also telling me that $595 seemed like a lot of money, but you'll make your money back in a month, guaranteed," Regis said.Regis' photo was posted on Wilhelmina's Web site with thousands of other aspiring models and actors, according to the report.However, she never received a phone call or modeling appointment offer.Local 6 News sent a 30-something mom into one of Wilhelmina's open calls with a hidden camera to test her "star quality."The producer was measured, photographed and told she could make $250 an hour in national department store ads.
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Attorney General Investigates Company|
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"When I believe, I can make people believe," former Wilhelmina scout manager Tara Doyle said. "The sky's the limit. That's how it was presented."The report also featured Rachelle Regis who was scouted by Wilhelimina on her college campus."These people are preying on people's dreams," Regis said. "'You are so beautiful, how are you not a model? We'll make you a model. You could be the next Tyra Banks.' That's the kind of stuff you hear."Local 6 News reported that the company required money from Regis for services."I remember him also telling me that $595 seemed like a lot of money, but you'll make your money back in a month, guaranteed," Regis said.Regis' photo was posted on Wilhelmina's Web site with thousands of other aspiring models and actors, according to the report.However, she never received a phone call or modeling appointment offer.Local 6 News sent a 30-something mom into one of Wilhelmina's open calls with a hidden camera to test her "star quality."The producer was measured, photographed and told she could make $250 an hour in national department store ads.Copyright 2007 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com.
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