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Light Shines Glaringly on Manheim

The Los Angeles Times "It Pays to be a Star on the Celebrity Circuit" broke the story today about Aaron Tonken's bizarre fundraising scheme. Here's a guy who would promise celebrities lots of money to appear at events and then fail to pay them. While most people call this type of person a shyster, the government authorities now claim that Tonken didn't pay not because he kept it to himself. He apparently has little or no wealth that is visible, and one wonders if this is nothing more than a man who made promises he couldn't keep.

The story has a weird Loyola Law School twist: professor Karl Manheim took a sabbatical recently. When his sister, Camryn Manheim, the rotund star of "The Practice, acted as master of ceremonies in September for a Tonken event, the mysterious Canadian offered a "round the world trip" for Karl. The paper indicates that from this promise the professor believed he would incur damages of more than $50,000. The funny part is this statement and the entire story itself doesn't tell us anything that you don't learn in law school or from working in promotions. Most celebrities take money to appear at events, though not all ask for them. Most people damaged in situations like the Manheims won't sue unless they think there is more than $50,000 worth in damages to be had. In fact, the only question you should have is where is the damages Karl is talking about? Did he really spend $50,000 on air travel for his sabbatical? If not, did he take the trip assuming Tonken would pay for it? And lastly, did Camryn think her appearance at the event was worth $50,000? Or was it just that the total cobbling of a more expensive itinerary...The fact that Carmryn received a $25,000 Harley another time she appeared for Tonken...As well as bad faith the reason? And even if so, how are they going to get a judgment against Tonken if he really is broke?

I mean, seriously?
posted by Thomas at 9:43 PM 0 comments