Eric Parkinson unfortunately scammed us out of $24, 500 last month and caused us to spend more than $270, 000 in actual damages and potentially millions more in hurting our film. He was the film booker of our faith-based movie that was suppose to hit theaters in December in 100 theaters - now it's only 7. He wanted all the money in advance as he would charge $200 for each theater and we sent it to him.
He mentioned he would be directing a movie called 'Wildfire' and not to worry as he had a staff of four people to help.
But something was very wrong. He would never answer our questions directly, but sent these very long, verbose emails that had nothing to do with the questions we asked. We never met his staff of four people.
He then asked us to send him another $7, 500 to pay for the DCP copies for the theaters which we did.
As our film was 5 weeks away, we kept asking him when to send the posters, standees and again the same evasive tactic. Finally, we demanded to know who the theater buyers were and what theaters were actually booked. He had only booked 7 theaters out of the 100. When we demanded a refund, he ghosted us.
When we demanded the $7, 500 back for the DCP copies, he ghosted us again. We then called the head theater buyer at the major chain to talk about our movie and he said exactly, "Who is Eric Parkinson? I've never spoken to him."
We will never get this money back from him. He definitely committed mail fraud as he lives in Arkansas and we live in LA. We emailed him this and he never responded. We pleaded with him to give us our money back at least for the DCP copies, but no response.
Anyway, we're planning to also sue Mr. Parkinson. If you can be a witness, please call us: [protected]. Maybe some justice can be done by his horrific behavior.
We will be filing the lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court. We will also be filing a criminal complaint with the FBI for wire fraud against Mr. Eric Parkinson.
This is hardly a surprise to any of the dozens and dozens of companies that have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with Eric Parkinson, Fred Shefte, Hannover House, Medallion Releasing, or any of the other "shell companies" these two criminals create to bilk people of their hard-earned money and/or otherwise completely crush the chances that any decent film will ever get released publicly.
Be aware that your company is hardly the first - there is a very long list of film companies from NY to LA and everywhere in between that have current, active lawsuits against HHSE and Parkinson. You can file in LA, but I'll tell you that HHSE will completely ignore any and all rulings, motions or writs. You can file in Arkansas, but get in line, as there are many in front of you that have filed lawsuits and tried almost everything to get any satisfaction.
Let's put it this way - HHSE left there last rental office last year, have been sued by the local property owners, have ignored summons, and there is a current motion for contempt against Parkinson. Ditto for HHSE's former lenders and even Parkinson's personal credit card company, which he stiffed for a whopping $300 bucks.
Don't even dive into the multiple liens, or the Arkansas Security Commission's findings of fraud and the commission's cease and desist order - it never ends.
All disputed matters between Parkinson and Chey have been resolved in an amicable manner.