Deceit

** The name of the writer has been disclosed again.  Please see 8-22-13 update.

Update August 28, 2020 -- Please read Victim

About four months ago I was planning on hiring Andrea Dolbec to write a script based on the Trevino-Alfieri Story. Although she had no experience writing scripts, I believed she was creative and could come up with an interesting script. She shared with me an "e-book" she wrote. I was not impressed at all, especially with the horrible grammar and style. After I read the very short book, I told her that I was shocked to see so many typos and grammatical mistakes. She assured me that she had not given me the edited version. Why would she give me the rough draft?

I decided to go with another writer with experience and far more talented. I told her that I had chosen a different person. She told me that she still wanted to meet with me and tell me her idea. I reluctantly accepted to meet with her at Cafe Primo on Sunset Blvd.

I listened to her idea for the plot and style of the movie. I actually liked it and thought that maybe I could get two scripts written simultaneously. They were very different. Andrea also told me that she was in a tight financial situation and really needed the money. We agreed to $2,000 plus a percentage of the sale of the script (if it was ever sold or made any money). We would have a written agreement. I would make an initial payment of $750 to get her started. She would also have money to pay her rent. We also agreed that in one month she would have 30 to 40 pages for me to review. At that point, upon delivery of the pages and if I liked what I received, she would get another $750; and the last payment of $500 would be paid when the script was finalized.

Three weeks after I made the initial payment, I asked to see what she had done. We were to meet in person and also sign an agreement. I was aware that I was the person who had more to lose because I had paid her in good faith and she had not delivered any work.

When we met, she did not show me ANY work or notes. She had also changed the plot and style of the movie to something simplistic and totally unacceptable to me. She pushed me to have the next $750 ready for her the following week as she had to pay her rent. I told her that she would not get more money unless I saw the 30-40 pages and they were acceptable to me. I also asked her to write what she was paid to do and not to change the story.

Because she refused to do any work, I asked her for my $750 back. In fact, I told her that she could keep $150 for her time but that I wanted to get at least $600 back, that I would give her time to pay me back. She refused and stated (through long harassing emails) that she was keeping all that money. Why would she keep it??? She did not deliver what she promised - not even one page!

I decided to take her to Conciliation/Small Claims Court. We have a court hearing on the 22nd of this month. Now that she knows that she will not be able to prove that she earned the money she took from me, she is trying to intimidate me. This is the email I received from her tonight.

Dear Adriana Trevino,

I am awaiting the payment of $1250 that is owed to me at this time, per our oral and written agreements. 

You have until August 6 to submit payment via paypal or else you will be served with court papers.

Sincerely, 

Andrea Dolbec

Andrea Dolbec has done exactly what Victor Alfieri did to me. She has taken my money without earning it and now plans to sue me?????  She wants to get an additional $1,250???? For what????   I would like to warn people about doing business with her. Although for many it would seem that her actions reflect her dishonest, deceitful and manipulative ways... what I believe is that deep inside she knows that what she did is not ethical or professional; however, she does not see a way to make it right. I actually believe that she is genuinely scared and does not see the situation clearly. I certainly hope she finds some peace in her heart.

What I have learned with the experience with Alfieri and now with Dolbec is that some people who either intentionally con others or who "accidentally" or unintentionally do someone wrong refuse to be held accountable for their actions and will fight to defend their position, will lie to others, will especially lie to themselves... until they believe in their minds that they are right and entitled to what they are unjustly taking from others.

Update as of 8/17/13 - 

Andrea Dolbec did file a cross-complaint for $1,250, apparently due to my publishing of this specific post.  She was hired to write a script. She was given a portion of the total payment. She did not write one single page... not even an outline. She refused to do any work or to return the money. This coming Thursday, she will stand in court and demand another $1,250!!!  This case should go in front of Judge Judy!  

Update as of 8/22/13 - 

We had a court hearing today. Andrea Dolbec lied under oath. She claimed that she had handed a treatment to me in person upon the first payment back in April. She had the audacity to submit the "treatment" to the court as evidence. I asked to see it, as it had never been given to me in person, via email or regular mail. How can someone lie like this without any shame or remorse?

It was clear that the attorney acting as "judge" in court did not want to deal with the case. I sued her for $750 and she sued me for $1,250. I claimed I paid her $750 and got no work from her. She claimed she was given the first payment upon delivery of the "so-called" treatment. Because she showed those 2 pages, the "judge" believed her. I did state that she was lying. He said, "it is her word against your word." I did not get my $750 back. She lost her lawsuit as well. She was denied the $1,250 she was demanding from me.

I do admit that it makes sense that the only way Dolbec would be given any money would be either upon signing an agreement or delivering some work. We had no written agreement. I gave her the money because she had to pay her rent.  That was my mistake. I am aware of it. At least I did not lie under oath. I told the truth.

It is too bad that we did not have a proper trial. We only had about 10 minutes to be heard. The questions that remain are:

If Dolbec claims that she gave me the treatment in person, why wouldn't she email it to me when I claimed she had not done any work???? If you were accused of taking money for work you did not do, wouldn't you make sure you forwarded that "work" or proof of that work? 

The reason why she did not email it to me or confirmed that she had given it to me in person is because she NEVER gave it to me. Why? Because she had done NO work up the point of my lawsuit. She had ideas... but that was all. I believe that she recently wrote the "treatment" ... either last week, or this week.

I was given a copy of this treatment. The judge/attorney said, "Give the copy to her. She paid for it. It's hers." I will include some excerpts of this treatment in my next update. It is so amateurish... and humorous. 

Bottom line - Andrea Dolbec committed perjury. She lied under oath. It is a complete lie that she ever gave me a written treatment. If she had done so, I would have not sued her. 

It is my opinion that what Andrea Dolbec has done is unethical and dishonest. I hope she understands that lying under oath is, in fact, a crime. 

I am actually happy and relieved that this chapter is closed. I do not have to waste any more of my valuable time. I can continue with my book and actual script.

In spite of all the events that have happened, I hold no resentment toward her. I wish her success and personal growth through increased accountability and awareness.