Talent Agency Chief Arraigned After Allegedly Stealing $1.8M From 160 Actors
Measures is alleged to have stolen $1.8 million from 160 actors based in New York and about $26,000 from six employees between June 2021 and March 2024. He was arraigned under two grand jury indictments which charged Measures with scheme to defraud in the first degree, and charged his talent agency, Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates, on the same charge.
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Measures pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Measures represented clients including Elizabeth Perkins and Merrin Dungey on their voice work, and was a talent agent for clients including the late Wink Martindale and Meredith Monroe.
In court, prosecutors claimed that Measures 'raided' the escrow account in which the agency kept their client's earnings. Measures allegedly used the money in the account to pay for personal and operating expenses, as well as paying off creditors, Four Seasons spa treatments, clothing, car payments and at least $55,000 for Los Angeles Crypto Arena seats.
While there are 160 alleged victims in New York, prosecutors stressed that there are more 300 alleged victims nationwide. Because the theft was alleged to have taken place starting in 2021, prosecutors said some clients had not been paid for years.
Measures was led into the courtroom Tuesday in cuffs and was released on his own recognizance after the hearing. The judge demanded Measures turnover his passport and hire his own attorney, as he was represented at the arraignment hearing by a free attorney.
As of March 22, 2024, KMR had inactivated its franchises in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta with SAG-AFTRA, according to the union. At that time, the union said 'No member of SAG-AFTRA may hereafter engage, use or deal through this agency,' and that any contracts between the agency and members of SAG-AFTRA were to be terminated.
He is due back in court July 15.
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