Los Angeles Talent Agency charged with false advertising in child talent search

A talent agency and its owner have been charged with falsely advertising to child actors and charging them $1,500 for an agent. The Los Angeles city attorney's office filed five counts each against Carl Carranza and Flashcast Companies Inc.

Five victims have complained to the city about Carranza advertising on Craigslist.org for a free talent search for children to work in modeling, catalogs and television commercials. Flashcast allegedly sent e-mails inviting the children and their parents to their offices where they were told that they could get a licensed agent for $1,495.

Prosecutors say Carranza was convicted on similar charges in 2002. He faces up to 2 1/2 years in prison and $12,500 in fines if convicted of making false or misleading statements.