Jeff Berg’s Resolution Agency Sued By Month-Long Agent Poached From ICM

Today saw the first public lawsuit against Jeff Berg’s Resolution Agency since the former ICM chief started his own tenpercentery back in January. Resolution was sued in LA Superior Court this morning for fraud, breach of contract, wrongful termination, and emotional distress in a 6-count complaint from Martin Beck (read it here).

The LA-based agent and 30-year ICM vet joined Resolution on July 8th but was terminated on August 2nd. Beck booked acts for Vegas casinos and was recruited by Resolution COO Jeff Franklin over the early part of the summer. Among Beck’s clients at ICM were Wayne Newton, Tony Orlando and Frankie Valli who’s hot again because of Jersey Boys. Beck claims in today’s filing that he signed a two-year contract with Resolution for an annual salary of around $165,000 and contends that his severe medical issues would be accommodated. He maintains that he was not expected to bring any clients with him but Newton actually did come over as client. The 11-page complaint notes that the relationship between Beck and Resolution soured after the agency failed to get Valli as a client. Beck says that he was let go after a flurry of emails about his performance and medical condition and seeks his two-year contract salary of $320,000 plus legal costs and penalties under the Fair Employment Act. Additionally, the suit paints Resolution as “fledgling and (apparently floundering)” with a “hefty payroll and no cash flow yet”. He contends Resolution has been on the hunt for new revenue streams such as live performers and that’s why they hired him. Beck is represented by the LA firm Freedman + Taitelman. [Principal Bryan Freedman is also the attorney for Deadline’s parent company PMC.]