Loren Israel, Band Bootcamp Checks cashed, but no work done- has ignored all e-mails, phone calls, and letters. Los Angeles Internet

I'll start by saying that Loren really was an exec at Capitol records, and worked with all the bands he claims to.

Now that's out of the way, I contracted Loren to work with me on songwriting for my second album. He wanted 6 months worth of post-dated checks up front (300/month) to get started. The thing was that I knew I'd be switching banks soon, so I explained that, and he agreed to let me send him two checks up front, and the rest once I figured out my banking situation.

The first check was cashed, and I heard nothing. I called, and he didn't return my calls or e-mails. He surfaced a couple weeks later with a story about shooting a reality TV show, and that he was sorry and to make it up to me he'd give me a month on the house for free. I thought that sounded good so I agreed.

Unfortunately, he never did *any* of this work he was paid for (or promised) and never returned another call or e-mail. Every now and then I'd call from a blocked number to see if he'd pick up, and he did. He pretended to be happy to hear from me, and then give me what I imagine is his signature gotta-get-out-of-this line, "Hey, can I call you right back?"

To this day, Loren still owes me $600, and refuses to even come to the table to discuss it. Buyer beware!

Christopher
Somerville, Massachusetts
U.S.A.