Name change, new office and business as usual

The Australian-run talent agency at the centre of a storm of damaging allegations says it can "quite easily" continue in business in Christchurch.

Courtney Elice (aka Glover), her mother Sandi Alexander and two male assistants were working in a new, one-room office in the Trevinos Bar and Restaurant complex in Riccarton yesterday.

Asked how the agency, which has traded under the name Tabitha Talent Management, could continue in Christchurch when it was being called a scam by disgruntled clients, Elice would not comment.

However, Alexander said she and her daughter could "quite easily" pursue their business.

Elice has informed her Christchurch clients about her new office which she says will be used for all future acting lessons and photo shoots.

In recent emails to clients, Elice says the company has changed its name to TV New Zealand Talent Management.

The company is arranging a meeting tomorrow at 3pm "to discuss changes at the agency, the ecaster system, castings and to take questions".

Complaints about the business are being investigated by the Commerce Commission and police have launched an inquiry into how a client's credit card was allegedly used to pay the agency's debt to a Sydney casting agency.

Allegations against Elice and her agency include:

Charging a $255 registration fee for photos, a website profile and acting lessons and not providing them.

Leaving their Rangiora rental property damaged and filthy.

Neglecting to pay refunds despite promises to pay.

The family recently left the Gold Coast where the Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper has reported Tabitha being involved in similar difficulties.

The local vet says Elice still owes her A$3128 for vaccinating her five dogs and two cats before they departed for New Zealand and the animal transport company claims still to be owed A$4360.

A mother who paid Elice a registration fee for her daughter says she has complained to the Office of Fair Trading in Australia.

- © Fairfax NZ News