We reported recently that Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer brought misdemeanor charges against five casting workshops, alleging that they were in effect charging actors for auditions in violation of the Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act. At the time, the Casting Society of America supported Feuer’s action, even though at least some of the individuals charged were CSA members. When the indictments were announced, CSA then-president Richard Hicks was quoted saying “the CSA fully supports the work of the city attorney’s office.”
Following a change in leadership, the CSA reversed its position, going so far as to launch a defense fund, organized by NCIS casting director Jason Kennedy, whose goal is to raise $45,000 to assist their legal fight. The fund has raised $18,000 so far, led by current president Matthew Lessall and, interestingly, Richard Hicks. Hicks would not reply to a request from The Hollywood Reporter to explain his changed position, nor would other fund contributors who were on record opposing the workshops in the past.