Entertainment Legal News

SEC Charges Entertainment Promoter Jack Utsick and Others

Washington, D.C., April 17, 2006 - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it filed a civil injunctive action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida charging Worldwide Entertainment, Inc. and Entertainment Group Fund, Inc. and their principal John P. (Jack) Utsick, and American Enterprises, Inc. and Entertainment Funds, Inc. and their principals Robert Yeager and Donna Yeager, in connection with a fraudulent offering that raised over $300 million from over 3,300 investors nationwide.

The Commission also requested the appointment of a receiver over all four corporate defendants. Simultaneously with the complaint, the Commission filed consents executed by all the defendants, with proposed judgments. Defendants, without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint, consented to the entry of a permanent injunction, an asset freeze, repatriation order, repayment of amounts they received, and penalties.

Linda Chatman Thomsen, the Director of the Commission's Division of Enforcement, said, "Fraudulent schemes and the misuse of funds have a devastating impact on investors' faith in capital raising efforts. We will continue vigorously to enforce the securities laws against those who engage in such schemes."

David Nelson, Director of the Commission's Southeast Regional Office in Miami, said, "Even businesses that tout their success through affiliations with public figures and celebrities, can turn out to be frauds. Investors should keep in mind that investments that are not registered with the SEC are often among the riskiest."  Read more at sec.gov

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	Did You Know?
	Treatment is one of the starting blocks in the development process The treatment takes the outline a step further, adding depth to character and story by filling in missing blanks. The treatment's main purpose is to tell the complete story before setting it in script form. Most are written in prose and range from ten to twenty pages. The treatment is the best place to hammer out initial story and character problems. Unless a script is sold on spec, most buyers require a treatment (or very detailed) outline from its writers before commencement of the actual screenplay. If financed independently, the treatment's often a part of the initial fundraising package.