http://www.industryblacklist.com/members//detail.php?siteid=2008
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Hello everyone this is Karen Stephens, Owner of Florida 1st Models. I had a phone discussion today with Gene Ross of AdultFYI.com hoping to get some assistance in getting my models paid for shoots done for Craig Valentine. The result was an insulting article on AdultFYI written by Gene. Well I see that Gene is one sided individual and seeing that he did not ask to speak to any of the models in question then I have decided to write this. Nor has Gene asked to speak to any of my models that he has wrote about in prior articles from Craig’s point of view. Also because I see that it is fruitless to call Gene – which I have and he now isn’t returning my calls. I always believed that a true journalist sought out all sides to a story…hmmm must have been incorrect.

The facts are these on Wednesday May 7th Craig hired one of my models for a small scene. As of today June 18, 2008 that model has yet to be paid for the scene. Craig neither returns her calls in order to get payment from him. Nor will he return my calls, emails, or pages. Why is this?

Then on Friday May 16th, Saturday May 17th three of my models had shoots scheduled with Valentine. Two performing in hardcore scenes and the other one was an extra. And again another model had a hardcore scene on Friday the 23rd again 2 models performed in scenes for Valentine. Each one of these models was told that these were payroll of 2 weeks. I was there when he said this. Now Craig can call me a liar and maybe one model a liar…but we are talking about four models and me. We all have pour memories or are hard if hearing I think not. Oh and none of these girls have been paid a dime from Craig Valentine.

Craig did come to me about one of the models having a possible medical problem, and it was addressed as it should have been. He also told me his side of the story regarding one of my models bringing coke to a set. I addressed this with that model and she told me her side of the story. Which was that he was harassing her to perform sexually for him personally even though she was there as an extra and not performing that day because her test was not back in time. She turned him down flat, and could this be the real reason that Craig is crying to anyone that will listen…and that is not many people that she was licking coke off the floor of the bathroom. The only person listening is his buddy Gene. When Craig said to another model via a text (which I have a copy) that his wrestlers were offended by her actions – he was asked for their names and numbers so that she could apologize to them. We haven’t seen those of yet…could it be that you made it up?

The same models that performed in these scenes went to his wrestling event on May 18th to be extras or what ever. I was there as well. Craig had no idea what any of the models were going to do, and was making it up as he went. The model in question about her hair showed up in the same outfit as she was in during the shoot, and even fashioned her hair the same way. This actually was the second time that I have attended one of Craig’s so called wrestling events and there was no audience to speak of at either, and scripts and production was being made up as they went along. I am pretty sure that this isn’t how the production is supposed to be conducted.

Craig from the beginning was telling my models stories of how he is soooooo famous, and that he is the only one that can make them big stars. He started calling me telling me to call off the one model about the coke incident that she needed to stop spouting off her mouth or he would make sure that she never worked in this industry again. This model was neither spouting off to anyone nor saying anything about Craig. The only person that keeps bringing up this story is Valentine.

Craig never said a word to me about the model’s hair until a good two weeks after the event that Craig called me to book one of the models for a scene on June 6th that he stated the her hair was different he swore up and down that she had cut a good 3 – 4 inches off of her hair. I didn’t think that she had but called the model to reschedule the photo shoot with Craig. He even said that he could show me the footage in question but has yet to do so. She has not done the shoot as of yet because Craig has been traveling, and the one time only one time that he called to book this she had a prior appointment and could not make the shoot.

As for me “crying to everyone” that Steve Steidmen of Risque Business is doing better then me. Gene you stated today on the phone that Steve had told you not two weeks ago that he was getting out of the agency buisness. Here are the facts. I met with Steve on evening of May 7th, per a suggestion from Craig to hear him out. Steve stated to me that he was having problems getting his girls shoots here in Florida. I said that I would help out if I could and send his girls out to the companies here. Steve then sent me 3 girls – one that was half way decent and got some responses when I sent her out. She then flaked and didn’t’ come in. I managed to get one of the other girls a small shoot in which the producer did not have favorable feedback on her performance. And she was turned down by every other production company here. The third girl had so many tattoos that I would not put her pictures out at all. That was all that Steve brought to the table. Steve tried to paint me a grand picture of what he could do for my models, how he was sitting on five major contracts from major production companies in Los Angeles. I decided to see if what he was telling me was the truth. I do have contacts in Los Angeles as well and made a few phone calls and checked him out. After the Memorial Day weekend I called Steve and told him that I had made a business decision that I felt was best for my models, in which I would not be sending my models out to LA through him. Knowing that Steve was good friends with Craig Valentine, I made a courtesy call to Craig and told him the same thing.

That is when all the problems started. From the time I told Steve and Craig my decision to not go through Steve for LA my models have been harassed via text messages from Craig. He has told them story after story of why they have not received a check. He has also called me a liar and a theif to my models.

Craig started texting one of my models wanting to take her out to dinner, and how he was not sure about how to go about asking her because he was just getting out of his marriage. The model sent me the text messages and I told her that these messages were nearly word for word of messages he was sending to a model back in December. Do you have these messages scripted somewhere I wonder?

Another model has received messages regarding her career and that she should get another agent. Craig dear…loyality is a bitch sometimes. I have the messages that you are sending to my models.

As for any contract negotiations that I am in for one or any of my models for that matter it isn’t any of Craig’s business so please stop asking. You are not her manager – I am.

As for me “kicking” one of my models to the curb? Seriously? I have not asked any model to leave my home, and I would like to see Craig prove it.

As for any personal insults to me; Craig have you looked in a mirror lately? All I want is to get my models paid. Oh and FYI – Other than not paying my models you are over 30 days past due on your invoices to me as well. Please rectify these situations ASAP.

Just need to add my two cents as Ms. Stephens who manages her girls like a lady obsessed with control. On the may 7th shoot the camera broke and no shoot happened, yet Ms. Stephens wants her commission. On the May 17/18 shoot one of the girls changed her look when she was specifically told to keep the same outfit available for the next day event. As far as Mr. Valentines pay policy it is 30 days from the completion of the shoot on the Friday following the 30th day. No payment is due unless the shoot is completed.
As far as Mr. seidman he was going to help Ms. Stephens with girls going to LA. But later told her things were slow and as far as Ms. Stephens girls some were overweight, health issues and drug problems and he was not going to value his reputation with some of the producers just so she can get commission.
Agreed I am a management company and never said I was a talent agency, although I have the option of joining forces with a talent agency which I eventually will do if I get the right girl to eventually move into the feature circuit.
If Ms. Stephens problem is with Mr. Valentine his name should be the only one she should mention. Don't get other people involved who have a good reputation and is respected in the adult business. MY @ CENTS!

Agreed. If you book a girl and she shows up, then you cancel for any reason that is not the girls fault, at the very least you owe a kill fee.
She made the effort and expended the cost to get there and lost out on the possibility of work elsewhere. She deserves to be compensated.

And, if treated fairly, most agencies would cancel their agency fees in a situation like this.

This is not the kind of reputation I would want to create for my production company. No agency would book with you and you'd be left with craigslist as your only source of performers.

http://adultfyi.com/read.php?ID=28664
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Proving that no good deed goes unpunished, I find it almost amusing that this Karen Stephens woman would contact me about getting her money, which is not my business to begin with, but hers- then resorts to buffoonery of the garden variety.

To wit, Stephens writes on www.xxxporntalk.com :

(FIRST POST IN THIS THREAD)

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My crony Craig Valentine calls me from New Jersey to give me a heads up about this posting.

"Welcome to my world!" Valentine is laughing.

"At least you see the fucking shit I have to deal with," he adds.

"How would I know?" I ask him. "You're dealing with someone who according to Stephens is not a true journalist and incompetent to understand. I hope you realize this."

Valentine says this is the reason why he's doing all his productions in LA from now on, so he doesn't have to deal with the Stephens of the world. Valentine finds the part where Stephens describes him chasing one of her girls around to take her to dinner most inventive.

"It's amazing- every time in LA when I'm springing for dinner nine porn stars show up," states Valentine. "Including Ron, Evan, Tommy and whoever we pick up along the way. I do have the reputation for the porn star dinner call and everyone showing up. Like I was ringing the cowbell. But they're all scared of you because you bring the tape recorder."

"All true journalists have one," I inform Valentine.

Valentine says he's got eye witnesses and had to throw chicks out of his hotel room from his last trip to Vegas.

"And you should see some of the pictures of her girls- the ones who have the yeast infections," Valentine chuckles. "And the crap is just pouring out of their crotch. Especially this girl Missy. And Karen's going, yeah, but I sent her to the doctor. How can you not tell your pussy don't stink?

"And if you go to her website for the current status of her girls HIV tests? Every one is expired ten days ago."

Valentine also points out that the way the system works in Florida he's not allowed to see any of these tests unless Stephens prints them out and brings them to him.

"What do you have to hide?" Valentine wonders. "Nikki had Chlamydia. So did Vanessa. It seems like this happens to every girl, and Brian had the same problem when Karen was there. All the girls were testing positive for Chlamydia- Chrissy, Cody, Autumn Sky, every single girl. What are they doing that nobody knows about? They must be banging somebody. And Brian hasn't had an outbreak of chlamydia in his camp since Karen left."

"And she's saying Craig goes around telling everyone he's a super star," Valentine points out. "You know me long enough. I may talk about my accomplishments but I never tell anyone I'm a star. I take great pride in pushing the stars that work for me."

According to Valentine, Stephens makes her girls hang out with Dave Pounder.

"All the girls are instructed to hang out with him because he's the star," continues Valentine.

According to what I've heard, Pounder lives in a one bedroom with a kayak in the middle of the living room. He does a $300 shoot on the provision that the girls spend the night with him. It's supposed to be a "content" shoot but cameras rarely roll.

Asked if this is true, Valentine says it must be because that would explain why girls don't want to hang out with him because he's not paying $300 under those conditions.

"Last time I checked I get more pussy than I know what to do with," says Valentine. "Why do I need to pay for someone? I get paid to get laid. I'm believing more and more what I heard in Vegas- that the girls coming in our business now are all hookers."

"And maybe someone should tell these girls the truth like their pussies stink."

Valentine says there's another new post about one of Stephens' girls having herpes.

"The only good thing about Eli, who was a piece of shit, is that his girls were clean when they showed up on set."

Valentine also says that the wrestling event where Stephens claims there was no audience to speak of, had 300 people in attendance.

"The club had 100,000 sq. ft so attendance wouldn't make a dent in the place," he explains. "It's a big place but I got the door money from the club."

FYI, the girl was offered a kill fee and refused as she wanted to reshoot the scene when she came back into town. When the scene is complete the agent can get her fee. As far as the other girls, when the scene and still are compleye tthey will get their money

Velvet, this is for you. I recently spoke with Craig who is still out of town. All checks will be cut by the accountant on Monday and sent out to the appropriate parties. Hopefully this will stop all this bull. it seems as if this so called agent is starting to create shit that doesn't't really exist unless it's in her mind. She was totally informed about pay schedules so she has no room to bitch. All I am is the mediator, I hate to have my name drawn into this shit. her problem was with Craig not me. If she has a problem with me than she can confront me in person if she wants. If she proceeds to bash me on the web than things will take a different turn and she will have to face the wrath of STEVE. Hopefully, this will;l stop all the bull. check will be sent certified to the address the girls have given on their paperwork, we will not send checks directly to the agent as Ms. Stephens has suggested.

I feel for you Stevie, but be aware even this can be problematic.
We had a check issue with a pw a year or two back where it kept coming back as undeliverable.

We called the first time to verify the address.
Called the second time only to find out she was using the wrong zip code.
Called a third time to find out she lived in an apartment complex and hadn't given a unit number.
Then the stupid bitch moved without a forwarding address! We gave up and had her agency send someone over to pick it up after it was returned for the fifth time.

Almost 5 months of receiving nasty phone calls from her and/or her agent all because she couldn't give us her correct address even after multiple tries.

I assume she finally got it but really didn't care at that point.

steve5748 wrote:

Quote:

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...If she proceeds to bash me on the web than things will take a different turn and she will have to face the wrath of STEVE.

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OH NO! Not the wrath of STEVE!

If the model doesnt get paid then the 'model release' is null and void.(even if they are two seperate contracts..the model release, and the performance contract.) Notify the distributor that the model releases are not valid and contact your local district attorney. Believe me, you will get paid when the distributor refuses to sell the product.

My camera broke...sounds pretty low budget to me.

Ummm... Non-performance of contract is a Civil issue, Master Bates. The DA has no jurisdiction in the matter. If she doesn't get paid, she can sue him like Brandy Alexandre did to John Stagliano.

Yeah, you were an elected official in two different states, alright.

Now that matter would have been totally different again if lets say the producer paid you by check and you signed the release. After the fact said check did not clear.....Acct Closed or NSF then you have a "criminal" case since you have an actual negotiable financial instrument. This matter would generally fall under the "Fraud" statutes. If the check was sent through the U.S. Postal System you maybe able to even talk with one of the Postal Inspectors about laws concerning “mail fraud”.

Principals would also apply if the producer paid the performer in counterfeit government currency (bank notes). Where then the performer themselves would want to call the local office of the U.S. Secret Service.

It’s those “little things” that can make a persons life not really worth living.

Now I will tell you this….I am NOT a lawyer……but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

i bounced a check once at target. soooooooo embarrassing

I also failed to mention in as you stated Jim the "grace period" to make good on them....but also the redepositing factor (double NSF fee's sometimes for both parties involved) and that business like "Target"...have store/corporate polices that not only that the checks go out to third party "collection agencies" and that you will get charged additionally for their respective states service charges/fee's as well......not to mention being put on the "do not accept" list...complied by companies like ChexSystems and Telecheck...so essentially if your checking account gets closed you will never be able to open another account for either 5 years and/or until you have satisfied all previous listed "debits" in full.

Another point to make is…who the fuck actually writes checks anymore…..maybe “payroll” checks for square companies….but most have transitioned over to direct deposit to a checking or savings account or some type of reloadable debit card as they do with most government benefits (social security, food stamps and the like). Shit I see adult webmasters using paypal, e-gold and epassporte. If the adult website businesses can pay their affiliates in this manner why can’t they do the same for the PW’s? Wouldn’t it end the entire he said she said confusion and the stupidly over agents/managers trying to confuse their client or skim cash from the shoot? FUCK that’s right…this is porn…without the drama what would you have left?

You mean the US Attorney. 2257 is a Federal issue, not a State or Local one.

In any event, what does 2257 have to do with a payment dispute? Especially one where the shoot never took place?

All fine and good. I'm all for whores getting money for their work. But he alleges that non-payment somehow invalidates the 2257 documentation, and I'd like to know where he gets this from.

I'd also like to know why he's even raising the 2257 issue if no scene was shot. I don't think anyone's disputing the need for a kill fee except the jackass with the broken camera.

Exactly. One's got nothing to do with the other. So much for our latest "insider."

Jim, I was just watching "The Bourne Supremecy." I dont know if you've ever seen the movie, but there was one line in it perfectly describes your 'insight' into the adult biz. I know you all hate it when I point out that reading these boards and 'industry' newsites leaves you woefully uninformed.


One agent is talking to another agent and he cant understand how the other person fails to graps the concept of what they're talking about. The one agent says to the other...."You talk about this like you read it in a book."

I laughed out loud and thought of you.

Says the guy who thinks non-payment invalidates 2257.

Nothing invalidates a 2257....outside of a "fake" ID....it may put into the question of the model release.


Absolutely factually 100% wrong.

ANd I was speaking in general, not this specific incident. Failure to pay will void "all' related contracts. The model release is necessary to back up the i.d. provided by the perfomer.

I liked our last "insider" better. This guy's got all the personality of a gay phlebotomist.

Totally off topic, but worth mentioning:

misterz, are you in love with the words "woefully uninformed"? You use them very liberally. And what is so woefully about being uninformed? Isn't ignorance bliss?