Max Soto, dba: ACE Entertainment Group, ellemes Events & Max Jacques
Queja 212605 Detalles

On May 12, 2009, I entered into a contract with Max Soto, dba: ACE Entertainment Group, ellemes Events, and Max Jacques, located at 9107 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 450, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, which is a Davinci Virtual Office Solutions address (http://www.davincivirtual.com/loc/us/california/beverly-hills-virtual-offices/facility-618), to provide publicity services for a ticketed party he was promoting called the “2009 Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion,” which was being promoted under the ACE Entertainment Group and ellemes events brands.

The agreed-to contract, signed by Max Soto on May 12, 2009, stipulated that I, Christopher Buttner, “will be paid a 20% commission of the gross revenue generated from the silent and live auctions taking place at the ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion’ party, July 18, 2009.

In the event of Christopher Buttner selling ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion’ party tickets and cabanas, he will be compensated 10% of these ticket sales. (These tickets ranged in price from $750 for female guests, $1,000 general admission to $2,500 VIP for male guests, and $10,000 for a Cabana for five people).

In the event of Christopher Buttner selling corporate sponsorships of the ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion,’ he will be compensated 50% of the sponsorship fee. Sponsorship fees are to be determined and agreed to by Christopher Buttner and Max Soto.

Christopher Buttner will receive two VIP admissions for himself and a guest to the ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion’ party, July 18, 2009.

Christopher Buttner will receive the aforementioned commission compensation in the form of a check, payable to Christopher Buttner, or a direct bank transfer, within two weeks after the ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion’ party, July 18, 2009, and no later then August 1, 2009.

In the event of a last minute event cancellation, a Playboy Mansion, or ACE Entertainment Group and/or ellemes events-generated issue, or other ‘Act of God’ that prevents Christopher Buttner and his guest from attending or participating in the ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion’ party, July 18, 2009, Christopher Buttner and PRThatRocks.com will be compensated $3,000.00 to cover the fees involved in the production of the publicity campaign promoting the aforementioned event.“

The ‘Summer Fling at the Playboy Mansion’ party was cancelled by Max Soto about one week before the event date for reasons unknown.

As of the date of this Scambook complaint, February 19, 2013, the $3,000.00 cancellation fee is long overdue. Per numerous conversations with Max Soto, and attempts to settle final payment, I have requested he make a goodwill effort to pay off this amount with payments as little as $500 per month. Otherwise, I requested he provide four tickets, based on $1,000.00 face value General Admission tickets, in lieu of the $3,000.00 payment to a future Playboy Mansion event so that I may sell them on eBay to recoup my fee and close this contract. Max has never provided these tickets for Playboy Mansion events when he had the opportunities during the summers of 2010, 2011 and 2012, and he has never made any cash payments.

In an attempt to partially settle payment, in late February 2011 Max Soto provided ten “Suite” tickets to a March 16, 2011 LA Clippers game at the Staples Center that I was able to sell on eBay, recouping $287.36 that was applied to the aforementioned due amount. (I have PayPal transaction receipts). This was after Lenny Kravitz with Guns n’ Roses and Rascal Flats tickets, that were offered as partial payment in September 2010 and October 2010, respectively, never came to fruition.

As of the above date, $2,712.64 remains unpaid.

On January 9, 2013, I made a final, and very fair, settlement offer to Max Soto via email that he conclude this matter for $2,500.00, which was due by February 9, 2013. Max Soto never replied to the offer, which was emailed to all three of his email addresses, [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected], with all supporting documentation.

In my January 9, 2013 settlement request, I suggested that he make payments in amounts of no less than $500.00 per payment beginning immediately until the settlement amount is paid-in-full or by the February 9, 2013 deadline. Payments were to be made by money order to Christopher Buttner dba: PRThatRocks.com. Tickets, of any kind, regardless of the event or their value, in lieu of cash payment would not be considered.

If this outstanding balance of $2,500.00 was not paid-in-full by February 9, 2013, I advised Max Soto I would then file in Los Angeles Small Claims Court soon after the deadline, seeking judgment of $2,712.64, plus restitution for travel to Los Angeles from the San Francisco Bay Area (Marin County) where I live, court fees, penalties, punitive damages, interest, and other expenses.

I explained to Max Soto in my January 9, 2013 settlement request that over the years we have known each other I have lived up to and exceeded the agreed-to contracted work he retained me to perform. I have even gone above-and-beyond the call-of-duty in providing non-compensated consulting for projects that, now in hindsight, never had a chance of coming to fruition, such as extensive consulting for ‘Girl Trip’ in June 2012, and promoting his other ‘ellemes’ Playboy Mansion event marketing endeavors. I have even tried to secure Max Soto additional work with my event, venue and philanthropic clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. I respect, like, and enjoyed working with Max Soto. But, business-is-business, and he must handle it as such, and this matter must be resolved without further delay. I will not negotiate this matter further beyond this final offer of payment of $2,712.64. Should Max Soto choose to ignore this attempt at resolution, Small Claims Court will be the last alternative.

I have been clear with Max Soto: Taking this matter to Small Claims Court is something I DO NOT WANT TO DO.

Nevertheless, I feel I have been left no choice in the matter, as Max Soto has made no respectable, responsible, or professional effort to pay me the event cancellation fee. I am sure Max Soto does not want the stain of a lawsuit, even a minor Small Claims Court matter, on, what I assume is, a stellar professional and personal entertainment and event production reputation and credit rating, nor does he want this Scambook complaint out into the jet stream of the internet for the world to see. Nor do I need, or want, the aggravation of suing someone I really respect and like as a person and an industry professional.

Max Soto, thank you for your prompt attention and your efforts to conclude this matter in an expedient and professional manner.


Respectfully,
Christopher Buttner
President
PRThatRocks.com