Issue Date:  -  Friday, 2 June 2000

Model promoters charged

Peter and Katharina Holz, "model promoters" of Westfield, have been charged with a total of 15 offences in connection with young women being offered work overseas as models.

Charges under the Employment Agents Act and the Fair Trading Act allege that from December 1997 to November 1998, a number of women and young girls paid up to $2400 towards the cost of photos and assessments for work as photographic models.

Girls as young as 13 were allegedly approached in public places by Katharina Holz, who described herself as a "talent scout", and invited to an assessment by a photographer.

Commissioner for Fair Trading Patrick Walker said the Ministry would allege Peter and Katharina Holz, trading as IFMO-Profoto, presented themselves as being able to find employment, without having the necessary licence under the Employment Agents Act.

"Mr Holz is alleged to have received payments from people seeking employment, in breach of the Employment Agents Act. Such payments are fully recoverable," Mr Walker said.

Mr Walker said it would also be alleged Mr Holz made false or misleading statements about the availability of employment under the Fair Trading Act.

Several women claim they were told that they were being considered for inclusion in a group of models Mr Holz was about to send to America in 1998.

"Mr and Mrs Holz declined to be interviewed in connection with that matter," Mr Walker said.

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Post script:
On the 9 October 2000 at the Perth Court of Petty Sessions, the Solicitor for the Ministry of Fair Trading applied to withdraw the ten charges against Katharina and Peter Holz pursuant to the Employment Agents Act. The MinIstry does not intend to pursue these charges further but is proceeding against Peter Holz with five charges under the Fair Trading Act.

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**Update**

On 29 January 2001 Peter Holz was convicted of five counts of misleading conduct under the Fair Trading Act and fined a total of $6000 plus costs of $4000 and ordered to pay restitution of $1825 to three of his victims.

Further details can be found in our media release of 29 January 2001.