Music School Hits Bad Note

Before I even see this story I can tell you that the claims are true. My credit card was hit up 6 times over a 4 week period for differing amounts of money and by a different company name - Home Arts School. When I finally reached someone at Amadeus they told me about the malfunctioning credit card machine to which I said - I would believe that except for the fact that the amounts were different each time and the name of the payee had nothing to do with Amadeus Music School. After doing some homework I sent a message to each of the people involved with taking my money that I had their home address; that fraud across state lines is dealt with by the FBI; and that most likely they could be found guilty under the RICO statutes.

My money was returned to me with a few days. I am not saying that this would work for everyone, but if enough people can prove that this is an interstate scam intended to defraud both teacher and student, then the FBI will likely be interested.

These people are thieves!!!I paid 1,633 for a semester of violin lessons from Amadeus Home Music School. My classes were supposed to start in September 2008. The company kept calling me telling me that the teacher was still with another student and couldn't come to my house yet. This kept happening for 2 months until I decided to report this to my credit card as fraud and it was too late.

I keep calling the company ever since and they don't answer their phones. Its just an answering machine. Donna Escobedo called me back twice after several calls and she just said they will take care of my refund. It is March of 2009 and I still don't hear anything. I keep leaving messages and they don't call back. I can see by other stories that this is happening not just to me. I can't believe this is happening to many of us and they are still on business!!! Here's my email in case anyone is filing a civil claim. funspanishforkids@yahoo.com

My name is Michelle and I was a music teacher for Amadeus Home Music School. I have busted my butt traveling and teaching in March 2009 only to be ignored and not paid $1400. My mortage is behind due to economy and husbands lay off, and this really put stress on me so much that I have pneumonia and now can't even afford to go to the doctor...
They will send you letters of intent because they know that if they show intent they are free to drag it out and not pay for years and forever. Most people won't fight for their money due to being so busy trying to put food on the table. But not the people I have spoken to!THANK GOD!!! These peole are heartless! They empty out peoples bank accounts!!! 2,000 6,0000 12,0000 according to previous employees and my own personal experience with them!!!! My students and their parents have been overcharged multiple times within the same month. They (Michael Lawson President of Amadeus Home Music School & Dona Zander Hiring coordinator and secretary) are also trying to set up a new name because they are criminals and so many are finally catching up with their schemes after 3 years of ripping people off. Some other names include Picasso Art, Met Music or Metro Music, Home Music Lessons. All to be taught in the privacy of your home. I read so many blogs and complaints all with the overcharges and same complaints as me and my students.

Write and call Michael Lawson and tell him to pay you at:
Michael Lawson (Georgia and Jersey)
439 West Shore Trail
Sparta New Jersey 07871
973 960 3354
michael@musichousecalls.com

Metro Music (Michael Lawson)
254 Mt Prospect
Clifton N.J. 07012

Also Dona Esposito
503 954 1304
(Oregon)

Roberta Shoenbaum ( Bobbie) ( Also Accountant)
roberta@musichousecalls.com
973 489 2211 (Jersey)

Heath Mensher (VP of Client Relations)
266 Main Street
Madison NJ 07940
heath@musichousecalls.com

all calls to the company web site go to Dona Espasito in Oregon. But bug them... They have harmed many good and innocent children, parents and teachers...

They have to pay for cell minutes so call in the middle of the day while your driving and leave looong mesgs... Also anyone interested in a class action law suite please contact
mishmiami@hotmail.com we are comipling mega information and hopefully put these people where they belong JAIL!!!!

The female customer of Amadeus Music School who spoke on tonight's Help Me Howard news segment had a story very similar to mine. I purchased 32 guitar lessons for my sons totaling $1980. That charge was put through three times to my credit card. I called the company and told them of the problem and asked for a refund. I was told there was a glitch in the system. After several wks of calls, I did get a refund for the additional charges. I was still owed the lessons though. Our guitar teacher then told us that he was not getting paid and could not come anymore. We then lost $500 worth of lessons because we had only received 24 of the 32 lessons.
I'm definitely interested in doing what ever I can to see that this company rights their wrongs.

SORRY NOT DONA ZANDER. SHE NO LONGER WORKING FOR AMADEUS HOME MUSIC SCHOOL I MEANT TO WRITE DONNA ESPASITO... There were 2 Donna's There are Dona Zander was GREAT!!! That is why she LEFT!!! DONA ZANDER was trying very hard to turn the compnay around.But you cant teach good ethics to people who are criminals...
Even though Lacie was one of the accountants, she is no longer with the company and also waiting for HER paycheck I was just informed. She actually did sound like nice person, but she is no longer getting paid from what I heard... She is a single mom so you can all bypass her since she isn't working there anymore...

These people are crooks. I finally fot my money back through my credit card company last year after a spending a lot of time listening to their song and dance about teacher delays, etc. Only to have them hit my card again.

I have posted complaints on every site I can think of about these people. A number of their other victims have contacted me. This includes teachers that they have stiffed (why would they only steal from the general public). If the police investigate, I will make the info available to any law enforcement agencies that need more ammo.

I got an email from one guy that had filed a police complaint. Amadeius sent him a refund check that bounced. The police will go after a company for writing bad checks. The detective actually got Michael on the phone and put the fear of god in him.

The number of people contacting me has increased this last week. I suspect they are becoming desparate.

skip.walker@sanbrunocable.com

Hi, My name is Professor A. Katz, i have been working for that company as an independent contractor i have my own Music lesson Business www.myspace.com/professorkatzmusic and www.getlessonsnow.com/professorkatzmusic i was headhunted to teach Music lessons and was with them for a couple or months. They had found me through my Advertising. They never paid me on time and i would have to fight for my money every pay period. The only reason i put up with it was for my students. And now i am fighting for my final checks, and trying to help a customer get there refund they owe them for 10 more sessions, i offered to teach them if they would pay me in advance and they would have to be caught up on other money due me. The trust is gone. It is a shame, they had brought me great students that have stuck with me. The Hiring coordinators were fantastic, in helping me. We were unaware of the credit card scams??? We have contracts that state never to talk about money??? I never thought in all my years of teaching music that i would see such a crime:( I have all the emails and phone numbers if this helps. Donna Espisito had helped me get paid in the past, she is very nice and think stuck holding the dirty bag. And said she will work on getting me paid what is owed according to my e mail from Roberta the Bookeeper, she said that it will go out Monday in an e mail??. Here are e mails and phone numbers.... Donna Espisito 503-954-1304 donna@musichousecalls.com Mike Lawson CEO cell 973-960-3354, His cell phone goes to VM Mailbox full. I was informed that all phones for company has been disconnected. michael@musichousecalls.com Heath Mesner's cell 646-567-6522 I was able to leave a VM. heath@musichousecalls.com Bookeeper, reberta@musichousecalls.com her daugter lacie@musichousecalls.com she processes pay drew@musichousecalls.com Howard I hope this helps. Professor Andrea Katz...

I am a guitar, bass and piano teacher for Amadeus Home Music School. I have been teaching lessons for them since June 2008. Since then they have been very late with every payment check I was owed. As of now I am still owed over $1000 for lessons taught. I have a few students who have complained about being over charged. After reading and hearing all these stories I think that what they are doing and have done is disgusting. Aside from ripping people off, the majority of these lessons are for enriching kids lives which they are robbing. To me that is the most upsetting thing about all this. If any one has any info in a class action suit etc..please email me.... tjconleymusic@yahoo.com

its probably true many got stuck holding the dirty bag, but dont kid yourself... EVERYONE THAT'S STILL THERE, KNOWS WHATS GOING ON.. EVEN Poor o'l Donna Espasito. She told my student she would send her a refund, but then sent me a letter telling me to go ahead and keep teaching her until her contract ends... So I called to straighten up the confusion and emailed... NADA... Not a thing...But my old clients have, GUESS WHAT???? NEW CHARGES POSTED ON THEIR STATEMENTS.. How nice... I even sent a letter from my lawyer, and not one phone call... It's CRAZY!!!!

Howard,
They are also known as Picasso Art School and hey are having the same problems (crimes).

One of my students fell victom to Amadeus and still has not received a dime back from that crime organization. I did receive an invite from Amadeus to teach lessons, I let them have a piece of my mind.

One of my students fell victim to Amadeus and still has not received a dime back from that crime organization. I did receive an invite from Amadeus to teach lessons, I let them have a piece of my mind.

I also was a teacher for Amadeus Home Music school, I pick up a really awesome student and have loved teaching him. Amadeus charged my student's parents for the lessons in advance and has yet to pay me. They owe me for 4 lessons and have refused to call or contact me back. I am hearing this story over and over of how they treated their students, parents, and teachers. Someone needs to put a stop to what this company is doing to good honest people. Music is a gift and should not be treated as such by these criminals. I truly hope that those who have tried to take lessons don't get discouraged because there are really great teachers out there.

You may contact me at gclefnotes@gmail.com, if someone decides to take legal action against this company.

I am a former employee of Amadeus. I quit due to the uncaring way that teachers were not getting paid. Repeatedly we were told many things, mergers, investors, etc that kept many of us employees working for Amadeus in good faith. It was emotionally wrecking me to be a part of the web so I quit, much to the relief of my friends and family.
Michelle has given excellent information about people to contact but really Michael and Heath are the people who started it, are in charge and to blame.
Donna, Lacie, etc. really are just employees needing work.
I would like people to take note that Michael has set up a new website called Allegro Home Music School. There are other Allegro Home Music Schools nation-wide but this one has an almost identical website word for word to Amadeus.
Please help flood online reviews to make sure that unsuspecting teachers and parents/students do not sign up for lessons for this still fraudulent company with a name facelift.
I do hope legal action will be taken. Quite a few folks are owed money. I can't even imagine...

Allegro Home Music School website is:

http://home-music-school.com/
Phone # is: 1-800-207-3994

The answering machine does still say Amadeus Home Music School so perhaps it is still not up and running.
I do hope that they get shut down. Im not sure who's voice it is on the answering machine but messages can be left.

THIS COMPANY IS WORLD WIDE NOT JUST IN THE STATES... ACCORDING TO AN EMPLOYEE THAT WANTS TO REMAIN ANON

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAILS IN THESE BLOGS so you can be contacted regarding any legal action wetaken! You may get your money back!!!!

THE FBI WILL NEED TO BE INVOLVED BECAUSE THIS CROSSES STATE LINES...

Anyone with damages can be a part of this.

METRO MUSIC, MET MUSIC, ALLEGRO MUSIC, HOME MUSIC LESSONS AND PICASSO ART ARE ALL THE SAME COMPANY. BLOG AT LEAST 3 BLOGS SO PEOPLE WONT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE COMPANIES.

Yes this happened to one of my clients. Charged multiple times for way more than the tuition cost.

I have been paid for the first 4 sessions, but not yet for the last 6.
Slowwwww pay.

I teach for Amadeus as a "independent contractor"
teaching piano in students homes. They have never
paid me on time. I am owed money for lessons given
more than a year ago. I keep getting promises but
no check. (my last check was in December for four out of thirty or forty lessons.)

This in from Amadeus just yesterday.
===================================
Dear al we are working on paying everyone very soon I apologize for the delay.
Michael lawson
=====================================
On Apr 3, 2009 8:39 PM, "AL LEVY" wrote to Amadeus:
Hi Lacie,
RE:payments
This just in from an ex student:
Al - I will definitely contact them and see what i can do. I am not sure how much help it will be - they actually recharged me in January for an entire semester even though i was not using you or them; and then again in February. We had to cancel our credit card. I could not get them to resolve it - the credit card company had to deal with it in the end! So anyway I will give it a try and let you know!
thanks
==================================
From Al again
Although I now live in Houston TX, I was a New Yorker for 71 years. Watched WPIX for news.
I always enjoyed your station.

oops!
I forgot to mention my email is jazz_man@ix.netcom.com
URL http://alevy.com
I am a composer, arranger, pianist, teacher
Just in case you need lead sheets, arrangements
for students or performance.
or
If you want to contact me about this AMADEUS
fiasco.
AL

They sent me the same letter today, stating that they intended on paying all the teachers, but they haven't opened or replied to any of my emails for the HOURS that I have worked or anything.
A ex employee told me that they are telling everyone that they INTEND because their lawyer told them to show INTENT.. They are liars from hell...lol And if I get my money at this point-- I would be more than surprised. C'mon... If anyone gets ANY money its because the guy is actually scared. You don't charge THAT MANY CARDS because you're a honest upstanding fellow or business man...PALEAZE. He HAS to be doing drugs and HAS to have a criminal record. There's no other phychological foot print that fits the crimes against us all --- all the hording of credit cards and lies. It's pathological.
What's terrible is it's been going on since THE START OF THE COMPNAY FROM WHAT I READ!!! They opened in 2007 and peole are having issues from way back then!!! It just got rediculously WORSE on the last 3 months. They started saying "screw all the teachers, we can make out like bandits!!!"
And Donna is a sorry excuse for a secretary, she always knew, every blog mentions her BY NAME. PATHETIC

There have been teachers who were promised money FedExd to their home by Friday. To my knowledge, no check or money showed. I know other teachers got checks that bounced. This company has to be stopped. Time to call the FBI, atty generals, and FTC to shut them down.

Heath and Bobbie the accountant bailed out and D. Esposito resigned.

Former IC, how do you know Esposito, Bobbie and particularly Heath bailed out? Anyways, folks it looks like the company is in the ground and all we teachers, former employees, etc. need to go after Michael Lawson the wonderful president and possibly Heath Menscher. Should we unite in a class action lawsuit or what? I have a lawyer buddy who thinks maybe so.

Because emails came back with messages such as "I am not longer with the company" and I do not think people still with a company would have message like that. Perhaps they bolted after the heat from the channel 11 piece!!

Menscher was funny saying he's "in the process of leaving" talking with Howard! He's clearly a guilty party. He and Lawson can try pointing the finger at each other when they are nabbed. I just worry these guys are already out of the country on a beach with the stolen and owed money. The feds, etc. need to be alerted at the airports. Their incredible stupidity in their business practices makes me more confident they'll pay for all this both financially and criminally.

these people r a joke. after calling a couple dozen times and emailing as well i called up my cc comp and chargeback not only the over charges but the original amount as well and they credited me back all my money, even the amount i paid for the class. i normally wouldnt act this way but they want to cheat me they messed w the wrong person. i think that when u act like this and noone is there to help u all the rules go out the window. i think u guys should do the same.

I, Russell Knutson, was a music teacher
for Amadeus Home Music School.
I am owed $680.00 for lessons
that I taught to students in Illinois.
I taught these lessons for the Amadeus Home Music School from January 25, 2009 to March 30, 2009.

To try to get paid in March & April 2009,
I sent email invoices for these lessons to:

sara schoenbeck(sarabassoon@yahoo,
roberta@musichouse calls.com,
health@music house calls.com.
I got no response from any of them.

In March 2009,
I called Bryan Paul who hired me for student David Smith.
I called Sara Schoenbeck who also hired for student JP Bevis.
I called Jason Mears V.P. of hiring.
These 3 people never called back.

Amadeus Home Music School owned by Michael Lawson
of New Jersey isn't paying music teachers
for the work they did.
Amadeus Home Music School
and owner Michael Lawson owe me $680.00.
Michael lawson is white collar crook.

Can we all write to the Attorney General of New Jersey until the get tired of hearing from us? They just can't let this happen. This is big time criminal activity and these people are getting away with this? I reported this to the BBB of New Jersey and the State of New Jersey Attorney General. The BBB said they couldn't do anything because they never heard back from the company. And I never heard back from the State of New Jersey. We need to get our voices together!

I too, used Amadeus to find a guitar teacher for my children. The teacher is wonderful. He showed up, he taught both my kids very well and was very dedicated. He has not been paid in full for the lessons. He started teaching in February 2008 and we ended in June 08. I called and told Amadeus that we would not like any further lessons and we would NOT renew any contracts due to a change in our finiancial abilities. We followed up with an e-mail stating the same. In November '08 we got charged for $965 out of the blue. We called to tell them we did not want this service and basically got the run around. When we went through the credit card company it took two months but finally we got our card credited back with the $965. Then they used our card again in February and charged another $965! We are disputing it again through the credit card company.
I would support any legal suit against these people. please contact me at karon12@gmail.com

http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
Everyone who has been defrauded by this company should go to this website and file a complaint.
This is the site to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a division of the FBI and White Collar crime. Be prepared with dates, money amounts, addresses, phone numbers and attempts at resolution.
If enough of us do this, maybe we can work to stop this.

Add me to a class action lawsuit! I only worked for Amadeus for one month, until I learned from both of my piano students that their debit and credit cards had been hit 4 times at $880 each. Only the first charge was authorized. I stopped providing lessons once I realized the company was a scam, reported my hours to Lacie, and have not been paid. I have filed complaints on Amadeus with both the FTC and the Internet Crime Complaint Center which is administered by the FBI. See www.ic3.gov
I live in Nevada. I would be HAPPY to join a class action lawsuit!

I was contracted by Amadeus a few months ago. I gave my fourth lesson a few weeks ago and I have not seen any payment. I contacted the following individuals about my payment, with no action:

Genevieve Fernandez in California (the client services rep who hired me)
Lacie (the accountant in payroll)

My only student paid nearly $1,000 on his credit card. Amadeus charged him a second time, and after my student threatened to go to the Attorney General, Amadeus credited his card back for the second amount, but not the original amount. Then, my student received a letter dated March 15 saying that his subscription has been renewed, but he has only had 4 lessons and meanwhile he had been asking for a full refund of the original paid amount.

My student called Andrew Mitchell, Lacie, and Genevieve Fernandez to get a full refund, but no one has returned his calls or emails. His credit card has not yet been refunded.

I am seeing alot of talk on this blog about whether we should do this, or do that. DON'T WAIT or ponder over what to do. ACT NOW. Call your lawyers, call the Attorney General's office in both California and New Jersey. Call the BBB, call your local newspapers. TAKE ACTION, don't wait for someone to get the ball rolling and then you jump on the band wagon. Take matters into your own hands to get your money back, no one can do it for you but you. The only way this will become a class action suit is if we all take action individually now.

My student and I are in the process of calling the Attorney General's offices in both states, and my student will call the FRAUD DEPARTMENT of his credit card company. Let's flood the lines with our calls.

I am in the same boat as everyone else. I am out $1,780.00 here in AZ. I have filed a complaint with the Attorney Gen. Office in AZ. I will be filing with NJ next. I can not imagine how many of us are out there and the dollar amount they have pocketed from us all. Our family was lucky enough to have been contacted by a great teacher we will continue to take lessons with directly. She has made many trips across Phoenix and deserves to be paid for her time and great work.

Thanks to all of you who has posted info. It has been very informative and a big help in filing my complaints.

It is up to us to see to it that they are stopped from doing this to others.

Keep posting, calling and complaining. I agree.

Michael Lawson and Amadeus Music School are scum bags and thieves. I blame every last one of the employees including Donna. In November of 2008, I signed up for 16 piano lessons for a total of $1040. In November, I was charged once for the $1040, then in Decemeber 2008, I was charge twice for $1040 each time, then once more in January, for a total of $4140. I have met the best teacher as a result, a real genuine guy, who did not reveal to me until tonight, that he has not been paid and this was my 14th lesson. I really feel sorry for all of the teachers becasue they have been screwed as badly as the students, in some cases, even more so, since they have been giving lessons to multiple students for no money. My techer wants to continue to deliver until his obligations have been fulfilled, I think he has more than fulfilled his piece, I am determined to get him paid as well as myself. I have had to cancel my credit card and am in pursuit of Amadeus. I am happy to work very hard with any and all of you to put together a succesful lawsuit against these people. I can always be reached at tdemarco@corcystems.com. Write me and let's get the ball rolling. United we stand!!

I too am an unpaid teacher. $400 is owed to me and my students have been extensively overcharged. I have called and sent emails on numerous occassions. I am certainly interested in getting involved in any kind of class action lawsuit.

I have been charged by this company twice, despite never signing a contract, and never receiving lessons. I have contacted the Sparta police department in NJ, and they are taking a very active role in investigating this scam. Luckily, I was able to get my money back through my credit card company.

I was hired by the company about a month ago and have taught the lessons and have not been paid. I have not known about this whole fraud scheme until today when I finally contacted a former employee of the company. I have never had an experience like this teaching anywhere and I am owed money for my time and travel. I feel bad for the student - she is a 6 year old beauty. I will continute to teach her as per agreement with her mother and I advised her mother to try to get a refund as well. Good luck with that, right? If there is a class action lawsuit against this jerk, I want to be in on it. Having so much disregard for other people and continually charging their credit cards? Unbelievable.

If anyone needs to contact me, my email is

Iloveviolins@aol.com

Also an unpaid piano instructor -- am owed about $735

If you have not called and/or filled out a complaint with:

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IN YOUR CITY AND PERHAPS NEW JERSEY
THE STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE IN YOUR CITY AND PERHAPS NEW JERSEY
THE POLICE
Blog

PLEASE DO SO...

I feel the way every other person feels that has come to this blog. Rip off abused etc.. I was over charged, lied too, cut off from all communications etc from these F**Ken scum bags Named Amadeus home music school. I have called an wrote to the Attorney Generals office in NJ. Here's the mailing address:

Division of Consumer Affairs
PO Box 455025
Newark, NJ 07101
Phone # 973-504-6534

give them a call too the more we do, the more pressure they will inflick on these F**Ken
(JackOffs) Amadeus

Here's a list off the All-Star Scum Bags that I have tried to contact several times regarding my refund that can't answer the calls today.

1-Donna Esposito -diana@musichousecalls.com

2-Genevieve Fernandez-genevieve@musichousecalls.com

3-Andrew Mitchel-drew@musichousecalls.com

4-Michael Lawson-michael@musichousecalls.com

Better find a good place to hide Michael

Lets keep the pressure on till someone is behind Bars. Look out Michael Lawson you F**ked with the wrong Bull!!!!!!!!!!!

I taught one student, was paid for four lessons, and have not been paid for the next seven. The student's parents paid for a year's worth of weekly lessons and received just eleven lessons. Amadeus has not returned any of my inquiries about payment. I am interested in getting involved in any legal action against these people.

I worked for them last year with no problem, I did not expect this to happen this year. I am currently owed a much smaller amount and consider myself lucky. I hope my student will be able to reverse her charges. This is really terrible.

208-410-0686 is my number if I can be of any help.

Yeah me too. I am a guitar teacher in Westchester county, New York. Amadeus hired me through a guy named Bill Meade, to teach a student in Rye N.Y. I talked to Bill today and he told me that Michael Lawson was in Africa. Maybe there is some kind of cosmic musical justice and Lawson will receive some operatic singing lessons from a randy rhino. These jerkoffs actually sent me a check for the lessons that I taught (it bounced of course). So, I made 8, 45 minute trips down to Rye to teach my student, didn't get paid, and then got charged by the bank for the returned check. Nice. Anyone who is considering a suit can add me to the list.

I was a drum and vibraphone teacher
for Amadeus Home Music School
and they owe me $680.00 for lessons I taught to two students.

I have sent email invoices for the $680.00 amount
that they owe me for lessons I taught.
They don't return my telephone calls or emails.
As of April 7, 2009 I haven't been paid.
I don't think I will see any payment.

Russell Knutson
Glenview, IL 60025-2026

I was a drum and vibraphone teacher
for Amadeus Home Music School
and they owe me $680.00 for lessons I taught to two students.

I have sent email invoices for the $680.00 amount
that they owe me for lessons I taught.
They don't return my telephone calls or emails.
As of April 7, 2009 I haven't been paid.
I don't think I will see any payment.

Russell Knutson
Glenview, IL 60025-2026

has anyone heard back from a lawyer? Let me know! Funspanishforkids@yahoo.com.

I see that the Amadeus website is "temporarily" down..... interesting. Does anyone have any news as to where this scumbag is?

Iloveviolins@aol.com

I see that the Amadeus website is "temporarily" down..... interesting. Does anyone have any news as to where this scumbag is?

Iloveviolins@aol.com

I have been a piano teacher for Amadeus for the last 2-3 years. At this point they owe me $1,215 for lessons I have taught. I am also interested in being part of a class action against these criminals. My e-mail: JoeR11@hotmail.com

Here is another phone number I found for them.

(212) 937-0477

If anyone gets any results, let me know.

Iloveviolins@aol.com

I just tried it, it says its NOT IN SERVICE.

What a surprise.

I began working for Amadeus about 2 years ago. Back then, everything seemed legit. My student's were happy and I got paid. We both got follow up calls to check how the lessons were going. I was quite happy with them. I didn't get any calls for students for about a year even though I called and e-mailed asking for more students. I'm a college student at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music of Cal State Long Beach and I wanted to drop my hourly job and pick up 3 or 4 students instead. I assumed that living in the LA area would provide a few students, given the population, but apparently not. Then I get called out of the blue back in September 2008 for a student in Newport Beach. They always want me to call the student (or parent of the student) immediately to set up lessons. This makes me wonder how long it took for them to go through processing to get to me. I called and set up lessons and we did an 8 week course over the Fall semester. The last lesson was in the first week of December and I still hadn't received my first paycheck for it.

I tried to contact the first guy that had been my contact at Amadeus: Scott J. Mello - Hiring Coordinator - 212.300.4323 (Office) - 866.397.0038 (Fax) - scott@musichousecalls.com. I think he's gone from the company now. He was awesome! He knew what he was talking about and treated me with respect.

I have also received an email from this guy: Jason Mears - VP of Hiring - Office (201) 217-5606 - Fax # (866) 397-0038 - jason@musichousecalls.com. He sent a mass email out about not stealing clients from the company and not disclosing information under the signed contract.

My Newport Beach student was sent to me by: Bryan Paul - Hiring Coordinator - Office (631) 549-6759 - Fax # (866) 397-0038.

I'm not sure how many 'Hiring Coordinators they've gone through, but this is ridiculous. I called all the phone numbers and sent emails to all addresses I have to get a response about being paid for my lessons. There never was a response, and in February, 2 checks made there way to my mail box. I'm just glad I got out in time!

A friend of mine was recently hired at TakeLessons.com. It seems very reputable. I intend to apply there after I get my degree because they have very high standards including: a Bachelor's degree in music or equivalent experience, previous teaching experience, and at least 10 hours available on weekends or week day evenings. You can browse the teachers in your area before you sign up for anything. You just won't be able to contact them until you register and all that.

Good luck to all of you that are still caught in this tornado. I'm going to pretend to take any student that they give me so that i can tell them on the phone that they might be scammed and hopefully they will be able to get their money back ASAP!!!

PS: If Michael Lawson ever meets one of us (like you're a clerk and you see his name a credit card) ask him id he's the same guy as this company's Jerk-President, and when he tries to run, tackle him and citizen arrest his ass!!! He can't run forever!

I called the Attorney generals and the detective told me you should write a letter about your story and send it to:
NJ Divison of Criminal Justice
25 West Market St
PO BOX 085
Trenton,NJ 08625

Here is an excellent site to post your complaints on: Consumer ripoff: http://www.ripoffreport.com/

There are only 3 Amadeus complaints there so far and this site reaches thousands of people. The people who run this site have been successful in bringing down some big time criminals!

I too have been defrauded by these people and would like to join in on a class action law suit or any other crimial charges pressed. I will write the letter to the NJ Division of Criminal Justice and make calls.

my contact info:
mbazor@sbcglobal.net
214-724-1598

I am an artist/instructor and I was recruited in February, 2009, by Picasso Home Art School. After I taught a couple of lessons, my student told me he was charged three times for the lessons and ended up having to cancel his credit card. I tried to submit my payment log but the website was not functioning (gee, what a surprise!) I am in Northbrook, Illinois, and I am interested in joining a class-action lawsuit, if one is brought. Fortunately, I am owed for only four lessons, but I am furious that this scamming company ripped me off, as well as so many, many others. My contact at the company, Maria Pagliarulo, responded to several emails from me by telling me she had left the company and advising me to check out this story, so I am grateful that at least she gave me a heads-up before I taught anymore.

Looks like Mr. Lawson is still going to be in business after all!!! However, don't let him fool you because he has been saying this for 2 years now!

Check it out; there are phone numbers posted.

http://www.music-housecalls.com/

Called the numbers
1-800-448-1628 - mailbox full

845-770-7405 - actually left a message but really doubt I'll get a call back

Also, Michael Lawson did call and leave a message for me after I text messaged the number 973 960 3354 several times stating that I had contacted the BBB and the attorney general. Unfortunately I wasn't there to answer but I sent him another text saying feel free to call me. We'll see if he does- not crossing my fingers though.

PLEASE GO TO THIS SITE AND POST. IT IS OUR BEST CHANCE OF GETTING THE HELP WE NEED TO BRING LAWSON AND SGRO DOWN!!!!!PLEASE READ ABOUT ALL THE BENEFITS OF POSTING AT THIS SITE ON THE PAGE CONNECTED WITH THIS LINK! I HAVE POSTED JUST ONE OF THE BENEFITS FOR YOU TO SEE:

Filing a class action lawsuit & notifying the authorities
http://www.ripoffreport.com/

Many law firms and law enforcement agencies utilize Ripoff Report to aid in their investigations of business practices. By filing a report, your information may aid in pursing civil or criminal proceedings against companies engaged in wrongdoing.

Ripoff Report has been contacted by almost every state Attorney Generals office, U.S. Postal Inspectors office, the Justice Department, Homeland Security, FBI, FTC and local and state authorities, including those in Canada, UK, Australia, and other government agencies around the world.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/

LETS GET HIM LISTED IN THE TOP!!!! PERHAPS IT WILL SPARK A CLIP ON 20/20 OR SOMETHING!!!

Get a company or individual listed on Top Rip-off Links

If there are more than five (5) Reports filed from different consumers on a company or individual then you can request they be added to the list. Ripoff Report will verify that the Reports are filed by different people. Send request to EDitor@RipoffReport.com.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/

One more piece I found at this site! They can help us with a Class Action Suite! Please go and start posting!!!! This is vital.

Organizing class action lawsuits
Victims & lawyers who want to sue companies or individuals reported

Victims & attorneys who are interested in pursuing litigation against a particular company reported on this website must contact us directly. It is inappropriate to solicit business using this website other than through prior arrangement. This is largely because we need to ensure, the best we can, that our readers are not being taken advantage of again.

If you are interested in filing a class action lawsuit based on Reports you’ve seen posted, and you want to identify a class representative, we can help by e-mailing those victims that gave permission and asking them to contact you. In this way, we protect victim identities while allowing them to make the decision as to whether to participate or not.

Additionally, if you would like to know whether any new reports are being posted AS THEY GET POSTED, such as during the early stages of an investigation, you may be interested in our upcoming Ripoff Alerts program. We’ll update you shortly on how you can participate in these valuable programs.

We are anxious and willing to join forces with victims and attorneys to stand up for the rights of consumers and help them get justice. Both victims and attorneys should send their e-mails to: ClassAction@RipoffReport.com.

I too was a student of Amadeus Home Music and got ripped off in a similar way. Having said this however, I must say that your TV segment was very poorly done, misleading the viewing audience into thinking that the poor teacher had never been paid for her work. If you look carefully at what was reported as 6 charges against the interviewed family, you'll notice that 3 of the charges were not charges, but rather credits representing the return of the original 3 charges. At that point, this family was made whole and would have been in a position to pay the teacher.

As an interviewer/reporter, I think you have a responsibility to report facts accurately. While the heart of the story regarding Amadeus is correct, the facts used in presenting the case are not, and were very misleading.

I was called today by the NJ Division of Criminal Justice they are looking into this. I was asked to send a letter and infomation on my involvement with this to them. So why don't we give them everything we got. Mail it to.

NJ Division of Criminal Justice
25 W Marker St
PO Box 085
Trenton, NJ 08625

I suggest we all send them copies of all our documentation (emails, credit card statements, processed checks, phone records...).

Lets get them behind bars and get the the class action going.

Do not forget to send e-mails to ClassAction@RipoffReport.com

P. S. I was told by Carlos(would not disclose his last name) in the Conumer Service Center Department in the Division of Consumer Affairs at the NJ Attorney General's Office that ANYONE with a complaint about this company should report throught this complaint form. This includes consumers and teachers.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/ocp/ocpform.htm

I am responding to the post of

Posted by Raymond DeCesare at April 8, 2009 2:57 PM

Raymond... WPIX did show those credit in error... however those credits were conditional credits that were because I disputed the charges with the credit card company. THey were conditional based upon investigation. The school charged my card FIVE times.. not three.. so we the family have not been made whole by any stretch. I am not sure why we haven't received why we haven't gotten the other two credits.. maybe it was too late because Amadeus strung us along into believing they refund us. I agree the facts should have been reported correctly but your facts here are not correct either. Noreen McCarthy

Please understand that Lacie Thorson did NOTHING wrong! Her job specifically was to submit payroll requests to Roberta aka Bobbie. She was so overwhelmed with hundreds of emails and phone calls that there was no possible way she could do all this alone. She is in the same boat as all of us - sitting without her pay.
She is not a crook; she unfortunately was hired to do a job and had no idea what she got herself into - like many of us!
Thank you!

I have notified NEWSDAY.

www.newsday.com

Anyone from Miami get scammed? Please contact me...
mishmiami@hotmail.com

I was thinking about Geraldo At Large - wouldn't you love to see Geraldo nailing Lawson, or better yet - Heath Mensure - with his line of questions???!!!

I think people are tending to forget how large of a role Heath Mensure and Roberta played in this. I know for a fact that Mr. Mensure knew what was going on. He has a blog if you care to read it; perhaps we should all go post on it!!! There's a picture of him on the left side of the page about half way down.
http://theheathblog.blogspot.com/
He started the company with Lawson and as far as I am concerned he is a liar when he says he is done with the company, etc...he needs to pay!!!!

I was thinking about Geraldo At Large - wouldn't you love to see Geraldo nailing Lawson, or better yet - Heath Mensure - with his line of questions???!!!

I think people are tending to forget how large of a role Heath Mensure and Roberta played in this. I know for a fact that Mr. Mensure knew what was going on. He has a blog if you care to read it; perhaps we should all go post on it!!! There's a picture of him on the left side of the page about half way down.
http://theheathblog.blogspot.com/
He started the company with Lawson and as far as I am concerned he is a liar when he says he is done with the company, etc...he needs to pay!!!!

And Robera - also known as "Bobbie" was horrible! She ran credit cards and moved the money around in the company too! Funny how they all run and hide when the heat gets hot but when they're running the show they throw their control and power like it's their hobby! She was horribly mean.

no money for you

Just in case anyone wants to email Mr. Mensher, here is one of I am sure, several email addresses:

oobermensh@mindspring.com

Oh trust me, I'll get it.

I began teaching for Amadeus beginning back in Sept.'08. After months of getting paid late, I've realized that they are not planning on paying me EVER for 30 lessons I taught to 5 different students in the months of March and February. The President, MICAHEL LAWSON (if that's even his real name) IS A LIAR! I'm owed $1, 600. Everyone I ever dealt with, including Bobbie from accounting, is no longer with the company (big surprise). "Michael" promised he'd mail out a check last week - I never got it. Now his phone goes straight to voicmail. I've already joined a class-action lawsuit, and was somewhat relieved when I saw Amadeus on the news via HMH. But I've lost a lot of time and energy on this company - now I'm just trying to move past it! I will be sending a written letter to the State Atty. General's Office to help out the cause and speak up for the HUNDREDS of innocent people who were victimized by this company.

hey mr decesare....u big bad reporter....where is ur report? ur so quick 2 point fingers...at least channel 11 put it out there....u didnt mention how much u lost?....i hope ur boss sees this post...im going make it a point 2 let them kno u missed this story.....what were u covering instead? or were u 2 busy worrying about the money u lost when there are people out there that dont even have jobs.....u poor unfortunate soul....tell that 2 the children who have lost that opportunity and the people that sat there and taught them.....

I just received this email and to me, it seems almost like coercion (sp?)? Has anyone else gotten a similar email? I think I, as a victim of their scam, should be entitled to voice my opinion and tell the truth without getting emails asking me to take back my comments. Here is the email that I got - which in a way, I find somewhat insulting, considering what Amadeus did to everyone.

Alexis,
My name is Dona Zander and I worked at Amadeus. Michelle Touchstone, myself, and Lacie Thorson are the ones that started the hunt to bring Michael Lawson down! PLEASE stop posting negative things about her! she is my daughter and a single mom of 2 little boys. She tried so hard to keep up the best she could with her work but they dumped EVERYTHING on her when everyone left. She is without pay now too!

Is there any way you can go in and edit your post on Consumer ripoff? I am the one that told everyone to post there.......so I think you can have it edited but honestly, they could go after her! She had NOTHING to do with the money; all she did was send the requests to Bobbie who actually wrote the checks out. She was the advocate for all the teachers!

Please? Can you do this for me?
thanks,
dona

--
Dona Zander
608.395.7853
Fax: 608.437.7476

any comments on the above post would be greatly appreciated. I said in reply that until I get the money I am owed, I will pursue all avenues.

CAN SOMEONE SHUT THIS STUPID ALEXIS UP???? WHY ARE YOU POSTING PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP US? YOU ARE STUPID ALEXIS! MOST OF US KNOW DONA, LACIE, AND MICHELLE AND YOU JUST PUT THEM IN DANGER! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE????? IF YOU ARE HERE TO CREATE MORE TROUBLE LEAVE - GET OFF THIS SITE!

Dona Zander - Leave Alexis alone! She was ripped off just like anyone else and deserves to be paid for the lessons she provided. Stop emailing her and telling her to edit her post. Everyone on this site has a right to express their opinion and experiences. If Amadeus had not stolen people's money and cheated teachers, none of this would be happening anyway. I suggest someone shut the stupid DONA up!

Lacie may not be responsible, but she is guilty by association. Everyone at that joke of a company is. My credit card was charged twice for the same amount within one month - over $400 I believe and I was lucky enough to get a refund/credit on the second charge. Not everyone has been that lucky, so DONA - I suggest you wake up and smell the beans. As far as I am concerned, everyone at AMADEUS should be brought down and these poor fellow victims should see justice brought to these crooks.

I don't see where she asked you not to post nor do I see where she "coerced" you in any fashion. You were asked as a decent human being to protect the IDENTITY of the innocent victims. Some people like to remain anonymous for very valid reasons.

Maybe I wasn't forced to retract my opinion, but I just told the truth about my experience. I have all the emails I sent to lacie@musichousecalls.com that she said she never received. Maybe someone broke into her email and deleted them, who knows. I am mad b/c I taught and was never paid. My father is an attorney and I have some very good friends in the local police precint here. I feel I am right in feeling cheated and am in the process of contacting all avenues to recover what is owed to me. If people want to stay anonymous, doesn't that make them look guilty? They must have a reason for hiding.

Also, being a victim, how do I know who is really innocent or guilty? I don't trust anyone at this point.

Posted by Alexis Fedor at April 7, 2009 2:34 PM
I was an employee with Amadeus Home Music from January 5, 2009 through March 9, 2009. I was hired as a hiring coordinator, and told that the company was undergoing a number of changes, including getting a new payroll department and a new board of directors to improve their problems of not being able to pay people on time. I was told my role was to be the face of the new and improved image. I loved my job, as I got to talk to and hire music teachers from all over the country.

But I soon found that many students were having the problem of their credit cards being charged not just twice, but three and four times, and when they called to inquire about it they were hung up on. I couldn't believe this was happening, and when I asked the Vice President, Heath Mensher, about it, he replied with a lie that it was the fault of their credit card processing company. I knew I had to leave this company immediately. I then did not receive my paycheck, and when I asked about it I was ignored. I then said I wouldn't be doing anymore work until I received an answer, and IMMEDIATELY received an email saying my services would no longer be needed. My supervisor was let go that same day for similar reasons. I still have not been paid, and I receive calls EVERY DAY from students and teachers wanting to know how to get their credit cards refunded or how to get their paychecks they have yet to receive for weeks of teaching classes.

I am appalled at this disgusting behavior by Michael Lawson, Heath Mensher, and the others involved in stealing money from innocent people, and I believe they need to be held responsible for their actions.

Hi guys,
I see it is getting heated in here. But I have done my best to help others as best I can. Its really amazing how this all came about. Micahel Laswon ran a great company! I loved my students and they did an excellent job of getting me students. It all started back in January about. Little by little I was being paid later and later.
The employees were all really nice and seemed honest and forth coming. I still can't believe it sometimes. The guy had a gold mind in his hand. What happened??? You don't get this many people complaining about over charges on credit cards unless there is something big going on. Now Amadeus is going by ALLEGRO and MET MUSIC. But all sights have been turned off for the moment. But they will come back up I am sure. They are probably waiting for the heat to die down. If they paid me back and made right on everybody that would be really cool. But so far I have not receieved any call backs. I have received an email with numbers where no one answers though!lol... I guess we all we're fooled...duh...
I still have a hard time seeing that we all won't be paid...And I heard that some teachers are actually STILL teaching and completly unaware...
Michael if you are reading this, its never too late to be a good person and do the right thing. Just do it! You will feel so much better!!! And so will we!!!!

Same thing - I was teaching for them and all of a sudden they stopped sending me a check, which they had been doing every 4 weeks. Now they don't return calls or e mails. Obviously we all got scammed. And by the way, when I read the amounts of money the customers put up for lessons, I am amazed. Amadeus was charging an exhorbitant amount for their lessons - way more than any tecaher I know charges to go to someone's house and teach.

I dont agree about the lessons charges being an exhorbitant amount at all. I have been teaching for 12 years TakeLessons.com charges 2-3 times that amount. The prices were good at Amadeus and actually low. $68 dollars to come to someone home is not expensive. The teachers only made about $50 and they took $18. That's not really considered high. You have to realize the travel and traffic. It takes me about 2 hours back and forth to teach. So for 3 hours of time I made $50 bucks. It's cheap trust me...Plus the clients are all wealthy and don't care about that, they just want their kids at home when learning...

I live in NY and I have been a piano teacher for Amadeus since Jan 2009 and I have five students. I taught more than 25 times and I have never been paid. I sent E-mail to them and nothing happened. I found some of employees, Roberta and Heath, left that company. Two of my students were ripped off. I owe them more than $1000.

I am a tutor for the Picasso Home Art School (sister company is Amadeus Home Music School). I was contacted by one of their hiring coordinators in 2008 and contracted to provide art lessons to their clients when the need arose. I taught an eight-week session of watercolor lessons to a client in June and July of 2008 and was compensated without issue. The Picasso Home Art School had me sign a contract and we were in agreement that I would be paid $40 per session and would receive a check after every four sessions.

On November 19, 2008 I began teaching a new client. Her parents paid Picasso Home Art School for 16 lessons. I was to teach the client her lessons weekly and then receive a check in the mail from Picasso Home Art School after each 4 lessons. I received a check for the first eight lessons ($320) and that is when the payments stopped. I continued my obligation to my client and taught her all 16 lessons, During this time, I was also matched up with another client. That client wanted an eight week session of drawing lessons, and so I taught her weekly as well. Four sessions came and went, and then 8. By the end of each client's session, I was owed for 16 lessons (8 from each client). The amount I am owed is $320 (lessons 8-16 for the first client) and $360 (all 8 lessons for the second client- pay rate was $45 per lesson). I tried multiple times to contact the company to find out where my checks were. I was repeatedly ignored- voice mailboxes were full or calls went unreturned, and emails were unanswered as well.

This is a very serious problem and apparent scam. I am owed $680 and that is just a small fraction of the amount of money that has been stolen by this company. Picasso Home Art School/Amadeus Home Music School and it's owner Michael Lawson need to be held responsible for their illegal actions and need to also pay their many debts to deserving, innocent people.

Hello,
This is the first time I have come on here and read all of the comments and I am DISGUSTED....First of all-I was an EMPLOYEE of Amadeus or Independant Contractor-whatever you call it-I was no different than any of you TEACHERS who were not getting paid!
I want to clarify a couple of things for some of you who are so misinformed...I was NOT an Accountant-I was a TEACHER LIAISON...I had absolutely nothing to do with Amadeus' money except for the fact that I sent e-mails to Payroll stating "So and So needs to be paid for # of lessons" I was up to bat for teachers-I was advocating for teachers to get paid! Obviously many of you who posted on here about me never dealt with me personally...I responded to all e-mails up until I was not being paid and had a check bounce. I am a single mother of 2 and was simply working a job-just as you teachers were...So can you teachers be considered "guilty by association" as well for the money that was stolen from your students? Probably not-just as I am not "guilty by association" from the money that is owed to you...Alexis Levine-You are NO MORE A VICTIM than I am...No one is anymore of a victim than the next person...Bottom line is we all were scammed-and we are all owed money-period....Now-I do not appreciate people posting my personal information on here as I do have 2 young children and live alone with them-who in teh hell knows what we are dealing with. I really don't appreciate it and I don't think you would appreciate if I posted all of your personal information on here either. If anyone has any questions as to what my role was in the company-quit posting the crap here and your assumptions because they are all just that=assumptions...I have yet to see one accurate post on here as to what my role was as an EMPOLOYEE of amadeus...E-mail me if you want to know-quit assuming things-like they say-assuming makes an ass out of u and me.
My e-mail is laciethorson@gmail.com

And for those of you who say I am guilty of something-just what am I guilty of? Going up to bat for teachers to receive their pay? Doing a job so that I could support my family? Alexis Fedor, Wendy, Bill, Rich-they were all employees the same as me-I don't see anyone flaming them accusing them of stealing-or Cherie Pugh-she was with the company far longer than me doing the same job as me-does anyone have anything to say about those people or is it just me? Because I was the only one who DID answer my phone and CONTINUE to answer my phone? Get a life-do something productive to get your money just as I am-I am pretty sure if I was guilty of something I would not have contacted local law enforcement and all of the same agencies everyone else is contacting to get their money.
I deserve an apology from some of you RUDE RUDE people (Alexis Levine) for posting crap that is absolutely not true and for which you have NO basis of proof.

Thank you for singling me out. I really appreciate it. I guess now you are getting back at me for just doing what I thought was right. This is a site for people to unite and come together to get what they deserve, not to point fingers at one another. So Lacie, thank you for pointing me out as a rude person, but you are no better. So let's just end this here and move forward to get what is deserved by all of us.

Folks, let's remember the focus of this page. It is to provide help, tips, and advice about going after Amadeus NOT each other.

Hi, man this is the absolute worst. You wouldn't think it would be that hard of a concept to teach a couple lessons and then get paid. I want to thank all past employees for giving there advice....
If anyone is filing a lawsuit please let me know..The bottom line is I need to get paid and if I am supposed to teach until the end of the contract then I need to be paid until the end of the contract.
Michael Lawson had promised a paycheck by the end of this week or next by I went through Divison of Criminal Justice and posted on BBB and Consumer Affairs and will send an E-Mail to the above mishmiami@hotmail.com for lawsuit and send him letters so I hope this clears things up.....
I realized he's ripped off people just trying to make there kids happy and bottom line is I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure I get paid work that I have already done, or expected to be done in the future if anyone as helpful tips other then just to say that the same thing was done to them please E-Mail at opuszero2003@yahoo.com

Thanks

Okay, you can add my name, MARIO POLITI, to the many upset and angry teachers who through dedication, went to 4 different families and gave art lessons. Picasso Home Art School's New York representative, Maria Pagliarulo, contacted me with the names & specific number of hours for art lessons for these families (she has since resigned before any payments have reached me). I travelled long distances to make "house calls" to these 4 students over the last 2 months for a total (so far) of $940, plus $110 they owed me from a former student's class from 2008. The so-called company and the excessive telephone numbers (10 different numbers) and my calls to them have been to no avail - and I have never received these monies due me. The remaining lessons for these students (which they have paid for in full in advance) have been lost. This whole situation constitutes fraudulent practices. I have contacted the NJ Attorney General's Office (Consumer Affairs Division), and I am waiting for their response to this upsetting matter.

I agree with Michelle.

Alexis,
I was only pointing you out because you actually put your name on the post, and the other one who remains anonymous and posts rude comments without knowing anything-well if I had a name you can bet I would have pointed that person out too....and you accused my mom of coersing you into changing something when really-she was simply setting you straight-she e-mailed you that information because it was NOT public knowledge-if it was she would have just posted it on this site-I don't get what is so hard to understand about that.
In any case-the point I was and am trying to make is that I am absolutely no different than any teachers-I am in the exact same situation-the only difference is I provided services to the teachers, not the clients...My point is, is that people are on here bashing me saying I didn't reply to them or return phone calls, etc.-you are DAMN right I have not taken phone calls since I have not been paid-actually-the funny thing is is that I have been taking phone calls-non-stop...People are so rude that they are calling me up until 1:00am and my phone starts ringing as early some days as 5am...That is absolutely ridiculous and inconsiderate...SO-to whoever teachers that are calling me continuously and harassing me-if you can read this-STOP-I have nothing to do with anything-I am in the same boat as you are-should I start calling you at all hours asking where my money is-or should I return calls to you at 3am? If you can't tell by my posts-I am very angry about this entire situation-I wouldn't be so angry had people not assumed something and went running their mouth saying I was an accountant, or I had anything to do with this entire scam, without first knowing something! Like I have said previously-if for some reason someone needs to contact me regarding anything, E-MAIL me at laciethorson@gmail.com....I am politely asking that no one calls any of my phone numbers asking where the pay is-those are my PERSONAL home phone number and cell phone number-I can not have them changed due to being harassed so please, if any of you on here are the ones who keep calling me-PLEASE STOP....There is NOTHING I can do for you-I am in the same boat as you, so stop wasting your time and contact the people who CAN help you-just as I am doing!

Posted on Allegro'a site:

Allegro Home Music School is currently being acquired by a larger better funded organization.
We are no longer accepting new clients and all subscriptions will be honored and completed. All subscription refunds will be sent and processed to all clients. Our teachers will continue to be paid till the end of their clients current contract. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please call 1-800-448-1628 or 845-770-7405 and we will be happy to help.

We are doing our best to pay everyone in a timely manner during these very difficult economic times.

Thank You,

MICHAEL LAWSONS HOME ADDRESS IS:
439 West shore Trail
Sparta, NJ 07871-1403

THey are lying.. If you try calling those numbers.. no one answers.

MICHAEL LAWSONS HOME ADDRESS IS:
439 West shore Trail
Sparta, NJ 07871-1403

THey are lying.. If you try calling those numbers.. no one answers.

to see ALL the others 89+ writing in about this SCAM of a business. Michael Lawson is a Thief and a LIAR and I think Carl Sgro is his REAL name anyways, look it up and see what you find!!!! He is the one who really owns ALL the domain names and is the one who registered the business.
Michael lawson and him are most likely partners.

We live in Bethesda, Maryland and signed my daughter up for lessons with Amadeus Music. When I gave the woman our credit card information over the phone, we were then charged twice on our VISA for payment when we only agreed to one charge. I called VISA and reported it as fraud and they removed one charge. So far, the guitar teacher has not been paid and he has been here five times (he cannot reach Amadeus for an explanation). When I called them, I finally reached a woman who said she was "putting out fires" and that she was "so sorry" we were charged twice. My husband was director of the Federal Trade Commission Antitrust Agency and is talking to them about bringing a lawsuit against Amadeus. We are continuing with our teacher but will ask VISA to remove the first payment to Amadeus, since they are breaching their contract with our teacher.

I keep seeing people put that Michael is really Carl Sgro-but really, if you look up Carl Sgro-his business is IRM-a company that helps you re-build or repair your reputation after it is ruined over the internet...It seems that maybe that is what his part is in everything-maybe they do know each other personally-but I am just about positive they are not the same person.
Besides that-I am reading everything on here-all of this stuff that people are "investigating" or finding out-like who domain names are registered to, etc...It seems to me that you are all still giving him your time by wasting it on stuff like that. I just don't see how knowing that information is going to help anyone get their money. The law enforcement/FBI and the other authorities involved will investigate that stuff if they see fit-until then I think energy should be put into getting your money not investigating who "michael lawson" really is, or who registered what domain names.

Guys, I am in the same boat and I hope we all get paid. But don't fool yourselves. Anyone that is contacting you by either email or phone or otherwise, claiming to be Michael Lawson is just some idiot disguising themselves and having some fun. I can tell you with complete certainty that whomever the real Michael Lawson is, doesn't have the guts to call or email any of us.

I hear that Carl Sgro may be the real Michael Lawson and so I called him and I spoke to Carl for over 9 minutes and I grilled him. He insists that he is only the web designer for Michael and he hasn't been paid for web design, so I told him to kill the website but he insists he can't. Carl, you're so full of sh..t, you idiot. Call Carl, his number is 973-283-2185 and his home is right here: http://www.esbipartners.com/

Losers like Carl and Michel, (or are they the same person), should be castrated so that they cannot reproduce. And as far as the other loser mentioned above, Heath Mensure, what kind of loser puts the word "Sucks" on an infant and puts the kid's picture on the Internet for the world to see? This is child abuse and he looks like a white supremist. Again, castration candidate.

I am going to send this to that asshole Carl so he can reply if he's got enough balls, which I'm sure he will.

By the way, Carl's email is carl@sgros.com

Send him a love letter.

Carl is also known as "Poocho" how cute....

His other email: sgro@optonline.net

Sort of like the mafia where they all have nick names. Poocho.... sounds nice like screwed ya'

Visit him please: http://www.esbipartners.com/

I have been giving guitar lessons for two years. I usually just post ads on Craigslist. In November of 2008 I got a call from Amadeus Music School with an offer to teach for them. I was excited for the opportunity, hoping that I could get more students. When I went home that day I looked them up on the Better Business Bureau and I saw that they had a lot of complaints. I called up a representative and she told me that those conflicts have all been resolved. Reluctantly, I signed up for it. I got a student right away, who I am still teaching now. Like the girl on the video video, I was told I would be paid every fourth lesson. I logged them all on their website, but received no pay at first. I emailed them and they said they would email payroll and have my information sent over. I had to do this every time I completed four lessons. It was like pulling teeth to get paid. I did eventually get paid for the lessons...until last month. I sent an email to Lacie, the woman who I usually dealt with in terms of pay. I got an email back from a Roberta stating, "I no longer work for the company." I responded, "Who should I e-mail then?" I got no response. Today I called up Kendra, the woman who called me up in November and offered me the job. She said, "Things are crazy right now. They've been exposing them for their practices and there's a class action suit. I haven't even been paid since March 15." She then told me to look on Help Me Howard.

I am owed $175 as of now. I called up the parent of my student and notified him as well.

POST WARNING MESGS ON CRAIGLIST IN EVERY STATE. THAT IS HOW THEY CONTRACT TEACHERS, ALSO BACKPAGE.COM in Your state city whatever. This guy is a PIG...

In regard to Amadeus Music Lessons

I am sorry if you have been hurt but I Carl Sgro have had nothing to do with it.

Why are folks perpetrating these false accusations? I have nothing to do with this business other than registering the domain names and designing the web sites, for a fee.

I have been in the web design business for 6 years and have never ever beat anyone as it is against all that I believe in. My reputation is stellar. Your assumption based on the fact that the domain is registered in my name that I am Mike Lawson or that I am dishonest is in itself dishonest.

Dah! Yo! Hello! I am not Mike Lawson. I am 20 years older, a grandpa and Caucasian.

My designer has taken down the websites at the request of Michael Lawson’s attorney and put up the note he gave me with a number to call for help. Ask any attorney, by law, my company could not take down the website on our own as we do not own the website or the business.

I HAVE CAUSED NO HARM TO ANYONE.

Folks continue to try to do me harm with nothing to go on but a domain name registration. I have hundreds of domains that I have registered for other companies. I can not be responsible if one of those companies goes out of business or acts poorly. Its like blaming Google for showing the website.

You or anyone else can call me at anytime to discuss (973 283 2185). I am not hiding as I have done nothing wrong. Calling me names and defaming me online is outright wrong and unfair.

Unlike many on this list, I am not hiding under a pseudo name or being anonymous.

I will pray that you do the right thing.

BTW - to the person that calls himself anonymous, spiderman and Carl's friend, I received the nickname Poocho when I was two years old from my Aunt Mary, because I had curly hair.

Sorry anonymous, nothing to do with the mafia.

The truth shall set you free.

If anyone is interested, here is another company I have been teaching for for about a year now. I have never had a problem with them, they ALWAYS pay the teacher on time and don't require a credit card for lesson payment upfront. You can pay by check or by credit card - that is the choice of the student. The owner is Dr. Joseph Merkel - who has a stellar reputation. You can view his info here:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/b/a26/66

The website for the company is WWW.DREEMKORE.COM

Phone numbers are listed on the website, but you can also contact the admin. assistant - Pat Rydberg at 516-994-6765.

I spoke to her today on the phone and sent her the link to this blog - and BIG SURPRISE - she's never heard of AMADEUS.

She also told me they are constantly looking for teachers.... especially in Trumpet, Guitar and always Piano.

I currently have students on various instruments, (I play 7) - and each one is a positive experience.

I strongly recommend anyone who is interested in getting another teacher or a teacher who is looking for a job now b/c of this whole scam - to contact them.

VERY good, nice people - and most importantly - HONEST.

By the way people, if you ever ask someone to help you register your web domain name or develop a website, always, always be sure that you make yourself the administrative contact. If you look at any of the websites mentioned here, Carl Sgro is the admin contact. Admin contacts have all of the rights to do whatever they'd like with the site, a site cannot be altered without the admin contact's permission. So Carl, you are full of crap man. You are in charge of those sites and if you are posting updates for no money, like you claim that you just did, then you are more of a foll that I imagined and maybe you should keep our money. Hee hee!

By the way people, if you ever ask someone to help you register your web domain name or develop a website, always, always be sure that you make yourself the administrative contact. If you look at any of the websites mentioned here, Carl Sgro is the admin contact. Admin contacts have all of the rights to do whatever they'd like with the site, a site cannot be altered without the admin contact's permission. So Carl, you are full of crap man. You are in charge of those sites and if you are posting updates for no money, like you claim that you just did, then you are more of a fool than I imagined and maybe you should keep our money. Hee hee!

to Carl's Friend,

The admin of a domain name CANNOT legally shut down a web site he doesn't own. Doing so, he can be liable via lawsuit. That does not mean the admin doesn't have the ability, it means he is bound by the law and should only make changes when asked by the website owner.

Why are you hiding behind a pseudonym? How about giving us your name? Its surely not Carl's friend. Its evident, you dont want to know the truth.

I am a teacher in Houston Texas. Are there any more from Texas out there? I have worked for Amadeus since January 2009. They triple charged one of my students and refused to take off the charges so my student quit. Then my second student paid for a whole year up front. I have only taught for 3 and a half months. Now with the company closed we both don't know what to do. I have not been paid for my second student. I have taught them 10 lessons. I would welcome any suggestions from anyone at this point. I am willing to fight as long as it takes. This whole thing makes music teachers look bad. If there is a class action suit count me in. My email is cfullert@hotmail.com I would like other teachers to let me know what they are telling their students?

Hi, I posted earlier on in the blog when i was having trouble getting paid. I worked for Amadeus/Music House Calls since September 08. I finally got paid. I was relentless and made a connection with Andrew. who was very nice and helped me every step of the way. He said he was a friend of Mr. Lawson??? I had gotten the money that was owed to me wired. Then Michael Lawson through andrew advanced me the money to teach 10 lessons that is owed to a great student of mine. He told me he is trying to get "Everyone Paid". Many of you may ask how i did it. It did take way to much of my time. Should have been billable time. The reason i was so relentless was not even for my money, but to make good on my fantastic student. I would not have been able to live with myself knowing that i was the one to tell the customer to re book lessons, with them. It is a shame i wanted to grow with the Company. I have my own private Home Lesson Business in Long island NY. If people are interested in me for private instruction you can go to www.getlessonsnow.com/professorkatzmusic I teach Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Clarinet, Theory and Music Business. www.myspace.com/professorkatzmusic I also run an independent Entertainment company and merged with MMR Records where we produce and launch new talent www.myspace.com/katzenterianment I believe it is my Record Company Executive Experience that got me my Money. "Mr Lawson said he will Pay Everyone Back". He mentioned Via Telephone that another Company; i did not get the name of that Company? Is going to assume the responsibility of paying every one back. folks just because i got paid does not mean i am going away. It is my duty as a fellow Music Teacher to keep up and over see the Promise that was made to me on how he Promised to pay Every one back. He made me a "Promise" that all will be paid back and that all customers money would be refunded. I wanted to ask him how does one keep on charging people with out permission? And with all that money why the Teachers and Employees not Paid on time some not at all? As far as who did what and who charged the customers is still unclear to me? One day i hope to find out. I have read some other blogs and to blame people that might have or not known should not be the area of focus. Concentrate on getting your money. It has been my experience as the former President of Indigo Records now Katz Entertainment-KMG/MMR Records that Book Keeping and any one involved with accounts receivable and payable usually know what is going on good or bad. Still not good to point blame unless certain. Once again Howard i hope this Helps.

The Picasso Home Art School also did this to me. The charged my credit card 992 dollars multiple times and wrote a bad check to the instructor. We need to contact Law enforcement. I have these addresses for the company. Please file criminal fraud charges appropriately.

Name: Amadeus Home Music School, LLC
Phone: (917) 403-0489
Fax: (866) 397-0038
Address: 235 Main Street #268
Madison, NJ 07940
Principal: Mr. Michael Lawson, President
Customer Contact: Mr. Michael Lawson, President - (877) 537-7660

Picasso Home Art School/Amadeus Home Music School
Phone: 973-313-1143
Fax:

439 West Shore Trail
Sparta, New Jersey, 07871
U.S.A.

Note I contacted the Sparta, NJ Police department (973-729-6121) and they told me to take all appropriate documentation (esp credit card statements) to your local police department with the above information to file criminal fraud charges against these crooks. Your local police department will coordinate with the Sparta, NJ police or the FBI.

HELP US HOWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just checking in with the blog for new developments.
Michael Lawson is Michael Lawson. Carl is someone else. Also, I would continue to take legal action if I were people. Michael Lawson is full of empty promises unfortunately. Some people might get paid but I could see a lot of people not getting their money unless the government steps in.

BTW my email is jimhenderson1972 at yahoo.com and I'm a fellow victim interesting in pursuing civil and criminal justice against these slimebags all the way!

Michael Lawson brags on this website about generating 2.2 million dollars in 19 months. He's like a mini-Bernie Madoff!

http://www.gobignetwork.com/profiles/Michael-Lawson.aspx

Excerpt:
"
We have generated 2.2 million dollars gross in the first 19 months.

The Amadeus Home Music School provides quality music lessons at your convenience. Arrange private lessons in the comfort of your own home at a time that works best for you.

We are a national organization with teachers in every state, city and county in the United States.

Our sister company is the Picasso Home Art School which provides all types of Home Art Lessons as well.

www.music-housecalls.com www.art-housecalls.com"

I'm another victim of this huge ripoff. I stop giving guitar lessons after they wouldn't pay me, they owe me now $ 250 and I'm sure I'm lucky, I didn't let it pass that. I was teaching for a Family that also paid for violin lessons and never got a violin teacher, they had paid for 32 or so guitar lessons and only got about a third of that, but I learn what had been going on and called my students and told them to cancel their credit card right away.
Please contact me (I'll be checking too) if legal action against these people is taken.

Dear "Former Teacher" - where can we contact you?

I wish I was able to enroll in one of the mentioned schools for my violin lessons. However, amadeus not only took my money away but also my dream. $1,633 is what I had saved for my classes. Now I don't have a job and there's no way I can pay for classes. I also need a new violin and can't afford to buy one! So I haven't played for months! They took so much away from me.I just really hope someone can help us!

Sorry I just noticed I came out as anonymous. I'm not hiding my name. Anyone with info contact me at funspanishforkids@yahoo.com

I think Carl Sgro is innocent and people should stop trashing him.

I also have not been paid. Please contact me with any useful information about getting paid and taking legal action. I am in Maryland and am owed for 8 lessons. I will join the fight.

Hello,

My name is Pradeep Sathe. I live in Olney, MD. For my son's piano lessons, I was charged on my credit card multiple times $1760/- without my consent by Home Arts School which is related to Amadeus Music School. Amadeus Music School is not paying the music teacher/instructor. I am therefore in a dilemma.

There appears to be a scam. It appears that a fraud is perpetrated against many innocent children and parents.

An enquiry by F.B.I and a class action law suit against Amadeus Music School is warranted.

Sorry--My email address is ginasax55@hotmail.com

Thanks.

Ripoffreport.com is gone! Has anyone been able to see this website lately?

I have been trying to get on it all day (ripoffreport.com) and I've been able to connect sometimes and other times it gives me an error message. It's like the site is down or something......

It works now. Was able to get on with no problem.

It works now. Was able to get on with no problem.

I have been using the company for one year for lessons for my two kids and the fraudulant charges began in Nov 2008 and continue to present. Four charges of $1600 each, all but one of which were eventually taken off my card. The music teacher we use is EXCELLENT and honest - but the company doesn't seem to be. Up until late 2008 everything seemed fine, and then the teacher started to not get paid and my credit card started adding up. I hope everyone gets their money back and something productive is done by some lawyers who see the potential in this lawsuit.

I am a teacher in Maryland who was also pulled in to this mess. In no way are any of the teachers connected to any of this. We are as much victims as the clients are. I am currently owed nearly $1000 for lessons dating back to November of 2008. It seems that many of the employees may be victims as well. I think the best thing for clients to do is request that their credit card companies credit them for their incomplete lessons and either discontinue lessons or pay their teachers directly once they are refunded.
The credit card companies have much more leverage and are better equipped to handle these kinds of things than any individual. Also, both clients and teachers should file a complaint with the Consumer Service Center Department in the Division of Consumer Affairs at the NJ Attorney General's Office. The address is...

http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/ocp/ocpform.htm

The more people that do this, the more likely it is that the people responsible for this will be stopped. If we wait around in the hopes that something will be done by someone else this thing may not gain enough momentum and we may all be out of luck while those responsible continue to rip people off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RICO

Amadeus, the two people at the top, are guilty under the RICO statutes since they actively made a decision to DEFRAUD people across State lines. You can contact your AG in your state, but the FBI is the ultimate agency responsible for dealing with this issue. I believe that I was able to get my money back because I was able to explain this clearly and precisely to the two people who did take my calls. If you look at the organisation, Everyone other than Lawson and Heath are 1099 employees. These 1099 employees are made up of support people to Amadeus et al and are part of the fraud taking place whether they accept responsibility for this, or not. Once they do understand the role they have played in the fraud, they must then quit and make the authorities aware of the fraudulent practices of Amadeus et al (they take money under different names from your credit cards).

The other 1099 employees are teachers who, like the students, are completely innocent of any fraudulent activities associated with Amadeus et al. This is a perfect scam. I want to note that I remain anonymous because I am still trying to get my teacher paid by playing good with Amadeus but also making them aware of the fraudulent practices.

The person who claimed to be a victim in an earlier post, must have had some realisation as to the nefarious activities which have been taking place since the latter part of 2007. I suppose that she, like me, did not know anything until seeing it clearly defined on the Internet by people who have been clearly defrauded. The perfection of Amadeus et al is that they have spread this crime over all the States and the group of aggrieved complaintants are unable to come together into a single space.

I guarantee that if everyone focuses their attention on calling the FBI and reporting this activity that the FBI will take action. Mr. Lawson and Heath (who has since quit) along with Roberta and Miba (the woman who went by many names and could sell ice to an Eskimo) will be the persons most responsible for supporting this activity.

I went to great lengths to find the address for Miba and once I did she disconnected her number. The people at Amadeus are very easy to find by doing a reverse look-up on their numbers, except when they are unlisted. I believe that my ability to find the people, show them that I found them, and that I was willing to turn all this info over to the FBI led to a quick return of my money. Unfortunately the teacher has not been paid and will likely not be paid.

So that is my two cents, or better stated my $2150.

Sorry for being anonymous.

Take Care!!

Carl if you are soooo innocent, then why the hell are you selling lists of names on the net (30,000 people's names to be exact) who just happen to need music lessons across the USA?

http://www.vmwinc.com/buycustomerlists/listsforsaleadvertisers.htm

scroll to bottom...of link...

Very nice site! cheap viagra

Very nice site!

How does that expression go? A rose by any other name is still as sweet as a rose? A new company run by the same people. I called the number and it goes to Andrew from Amadeus School.

Amadeus Home Music School is currently being acquired by a larger better funded organization.

We are no longer accepting new clients and all subscriptions will be honored and completed. All subscription refunds will be sent and processed to all clients. Our teachers will continue to be paid till the end of their clients current contract. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please call 1-800-448-1628 or 845-770-7405 and we will be happy to help.

We are doing our best to pay everyone in a timely manner during these very difficult economic times.

Thank You,

Just read that bloc by curiosity -I'm just not a big fan of mad people arguing to each other usually -
The company was working well the first year everybody was happy.. look Like!!
Fact, that many customer had really bad problem with that company, teacher not showing up, teacher not paid on time.. not paying back the customer on time, is wrong... but seriously did any of you would just wonder 1 second : why if people would do a scam... would they have employer on payroll ??... or give they real name and address ?? this company obviously had economic problem.. And poor management, And they have to fix it !! which company did not do wrong, that past year with the worst economy ever??!!
The problem did not happen on a day... maybe you guy should give them just a little bite of time!! not easy when you are so mad i know.. BUT AFTER ALL THEY ARE PAYING PEOPLE BACK !!!

OHHH sorry i guess i forgot...
It's a scam they are not answering the phone... EUHHH Hellooo... Did you read the comment on the top of mine like me or not !!!
They are not working... they quit... it's not like they are going to work in an office 9 to 5 it's a on line company ... of course nobody answer the phone!! and as soon as somebody answer the phone To try to help... you are all saying that they are part of a scam... ??? DDDeeuuuu !!!

Great site. Keep doing.
, buy , , buy , buy ,

I have been working in this company for a few months as a teacher. I am trying to get my last paycheck from this coming.
They have not paid me the last 8 lessons.
I have been trying to contact them, but the automated machine picked up and it was full. I could not leave the message.
I reported to the Better Business Bureau.
Do what we should do to get the money back!!!!

I too have been ripped off by this company. I've been contracted to teach for them for almost 2 years and have had at least a dozen issues with payments. Their latest lie is that they're having trouble because of "the economy." That doesn't explain why I had so much trouble getting money out of them in 2007 and the first half of 2008. They currently owe me $655 but that number grows daily because last year I implemented a late payment fee because they never paid me. It's a simple charge of $5 per day per student that I haven't been paid for after 7 days from when I billed them. I'm well within my rights as an independent to have such a protection policy. Crooks like this are the reason for policies like that.

I'm definitely in on any class action suit. contact me: applescrappler@gmail.com

I was finally paid my last $200.00 after an initial first payment a week before hand. A. Katz, a teacher in NY, also posted she was paid. I made threats and M. Lawson, whose phone number is now disconnect, says all of the teachers and former ICs who worked for the company and the clients are supposed to be paid and/or refunded.

Wendy, I think you were one of the lucky ones that actually received your teacher fees. Because I did everything you did in order to get paid for the 30-some lessons I gave, totaling about $1600 - and still haven't seen a check. I called M.Lawson, even spoken w/ him a few times only to hear empty promises like "You'll be mailed a check by the end of the week", and "I'm going to have to dip into my own bank account, but I'm going to mail a check out to you in the next few days". All lies. I can't get him by phone anymore (mailbox full), he's not answering my e-mails where I've expressed that I've written a letter to the AG and joined a class-action lawsuit. Threats don't seem to work. We'll see, but I've almost accepted that this was just a very expensive lesson learned.

I am glad they are finally being brought to justice. They exacted misery on a lot of honest people and they need to be held accountable for their actions. What makes it even worse is that they scammed parents trying to do something good for their kids, and music teachers, who are scraping by as it is. These people, I guess only the two at the top who masterminded the whole scam, are absolute low lifes and need to show up in court. There are so many victims in this case, kids, parents, and teachers, that is difficult to know where to begin.

Michael Lawson, owner of "Amadeus home music school and Picasso home music school made an unauthorized charge to my credit card on 03/03/09 for $440.00. I have filed the following reports using the following info:
Michael Lawson/President/Owner
235 Main St.#268
Madison, NJ. 07940
business#(877)537-7660
cell# (973)960-3354
***MOST IMPORTANT***
*NJ. Division of Criminal Justice*
25 W. Market St. PO. Box 085
Trenton, NJ.08625
*BBB of Trenton, NJ.*
www.trenton.bbb.org
*Attorney General of NJ*
www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/tips.htm
*NJ. Dept of Consumer Affairs*
*NJ. Dept. of Labor*
www.state.nj.us/labor/survey/contact.shtml
DON'T FORGET TO FILE AT ALL OF YOUR LOCAL BRANCHES
OF THE PRECEEDING LIST

I am owed approx 18 lessons and had to struggle to get a paycheck every pay period. Glad something is being done. Hope I get paid...

I have only had one student who I've done 7 lessons with and have not been paid for any of them. I tried emailing several times and was told that payroll would be notified, but have not gotten a check.
I'll be glad to join in a class-action suit against them.

I am an art teacher and I am owed $320 for 8 lessons. I am fortunate I am not owed more. I have two students that were also subjected to fraudulent extra charges on their credit cards. I hope that there is criminal action taken, and count me in on any class action suit.
Judy
judyungers@sbcglobal.net

I am an art teacher and I am owed $320 for 8 lessons. I am fortunate I am not owed more. I have two students that were also subjected to fraudulent extra charges on their credit cards. I hope that there is criminal action taken, and count me in on any class action suit.
Judy
judyungers@sbcglobal.net

I am an art teacher and I am owed $320 for 8 lessons. I am fortunate I am not owed more. I have two students that were also subjected to fraudulent extra charges on their credit cards. I hope that there is criminal action taken, and count me in on any class action suit.
Judy
judyungers@sbcglobal.net

I am an art teacher and I am owed $320 for 8 lessons. I am fortunate I am not owed more. I have two students that were also subjected to fraudulent extra charges on their credit cards. I hope that there is criminal action taken, and count me in on any class action suit.
Judy
judyungers@sbcglobal.net

I am an art teacher and I am owed $320 for 8 lessons. I am fortunate I am not owed more. I have two students that were also subjected to fraudulent extra charges on their credit cards. I hope that there is criminal action taken, and count me in on any class action suit.
Judy
judyungers@sbcglobal.net

same same for me - i am out hundreds - thanks for the students assholes!!!! Morgan

same same for me - i am out hundreds - thanks for the students assholes!!!! Morgan

Wow! I didn't know all of this - I simply thought I WAS getting paid, but that it was late getting to me. From now on, any teaching I do simply has to be paid up front, just like all my other students do.
So where are we at, now? Are we going to be paid for the lessons already taught, or what?
Do we all have to get together to file a class action suit, or take legal action in other ways, or will this problem be resolved by whatever company is taking over now voluntarily???
I, too, have had to scream and carry on in order to get a paycheck, but it has happened - until the past 12 lessons.

Wow! I didn't know all of this - I simply thought I WAS getting paid, but that it was late getting to me. From now on, any teaching I do simply has to be paid up front, just like all my other students do.
So where are we at, now? Are we going to be paid for the lessons already taught, or what?
Do we all have to get together to file a class action suit, or take legal action in other ways, or will this problem be resolved by whatever company is taking over now voluntarily???
I, too, have had to scream and carry on in order to get a paycheck, but it has happened - until the past 12 lessons.

Wow! I didn't know all of this - I simply thought I WAS getting paid, but that it was late getting to me. From now on, any teaching I do simply has to be paid up front, just like all my other students do.
So where are we at, now? Are we going to be paid for the lessons already taught, or what?
Do we all have to get together to file a class action suit, or take legal action in other ways, or will this problem be resolved by whatever company is taking over now voluntarily???
I, too, have had to scream and carry on in order to get a paycheck, but it has happened - until the past 12 lessons.

Hi,

I've worked for Amadeus for a little over a year, and also have had to fight with them to get payments, especially at first. However, at this time, they still owe me for about a dozen lessons. I'm not at all sure how to get that money. Their website has shut down. I'm worried about my students and whether they've been ripped off too. These stories are incredible, but consistent with my experience, though mine has been less extreme.

I'm in on any class-action suit too.

Cathy

I can't believe what I've been reading in these posts. For all the customers out there in the DC/VA/MD areas, I send you my deepest sympathy. As the owner B&B Music World I cannot imagine doing this to my customers. This story also irritates me because it reflects poorly on our industry as a whole. I have gone to great lengths to ensure that my company follows sound business practices. We have been with the Better Business Bureau for several years now and have not had even one complaint. We are in our 5th year of operations and pride ourselves on our high level of customer satisfaction. Because we are a small company, and only service the DC/MD/VA area, I am able to personally make sure my customers are given the highest level of service. Uhg, I share in your disgust with Amadeus and hope they are stopped soon enough. Musically Yours, Brad Clements 301-655-4460

I have worked as a music teacher for Amadeus or the past year or so, and have also struggled to get them to pay me. I wasn't sure if they were a shady organization, or just naive and not that organized. They always did pay me, albeit in a pretty delayed fashion at times, except the last set of lessons. They owe me for about a dozen lessons now, and I (we) need to figure out how to get our money back from them. I'm particularly worried about my students, as i expect the parents have already paid for a future set of lessons that I can't give, because Amadeus have absconded with the funds at this point!

I'm definitely in on any class-action suit!

Cathy

I have worked as a music teacher for Amadeus or the past year or so, and have also struggled to get them to pay me. I wasn't sure if they were a shady organization, or just naive and not that organized. They always did pay me, albeit in a pretty delayed fashion at times, except the last set of lessons. They owe me for about a dozen lessons now, and I (we) need to figure out how to get our money back from them. I'm particularly worried about my students, as i expect the parents have already paid for a future set of lessons that I can't give, because Amadeus have absconded with the funds at this point!

I'm definitely in on any class-action suit!

Cathy

I have taught lessons at Amadeus for a year. I always got paid, after emailing and calling and waiting. recently i started a new student when i went for the first lesson he said they billed him twice on his credit card. I have not been paid for
any lessons i tought him.

If your doing a class action suit, my e mail is Dave275@comcast.net

They only owe me 280 dollars, which is not life changing money... but i want to see them pay for what they have done to countless people

I am a teacher in New York City and have not been paid for 12 lessons. Please contact me if a lawsuit takes place. My email address is musicalman3137@yahoo.com . Thank you, M

I'm going to contact the State Attorney General's Office in NJ and advise the parent of my two students to do so as well. They paid for the entire year (2009)! I'm owed a little under $500. I want my money back. I'm in on a class-action suit. My e-mail is: sneaker@cathymason.com

I'm going to contact the State Attorney General's Office in NJ and advise the parent of my two students to do so as well. They paid for the entire year (2009)! I'm owed a little under $500. I want my money back. I'm in on a class-action suit. My e-mail is: sneaker@cathymason.com

I was a teacher with Amadeus and like all the other teachers and students on this blog, I'm owed a LOT of money by them. The father of one of my students (who's credit card was charged repeatedly) is with the police force, and has taken this to higher authorities, including the FBI and Sparta Police Dept. They are all working hard to catch Michael Lawson, the crook behind Amadeus, and make sure he's never able to scam another innocent person again. PLEASE FAX ANY EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE AGAINST AMADEUS MUSIC OR PICASSO ART SCHOOL TO 973-248-1421 Attn: Alexander Pucci.
Evidence can include credit card statements, e-mails from Amadeus employees promising payments, refunds, or lessons, etc. You should white-out any personal info like CC numbers and home addresses. The more evidence that's collected against these thugs, the easier it will be to convict him!

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cms/images/20080410uniqa/Uniqua-MichaelLawson.jpg

That is a picture of my crook of a (former) boss.

I found this image by searching Michael Lawson on Google Images.

Here is a link to the concert blog which has even more pictures of him: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20080410uniqa

I want to now recount my terrible experience working for these guys (Michael Lawson and Heath Mensher).

I want people to understand that Mr. Lawson has ripped off and cheated and scammed every single person who has crossed paths with him. It's really really scary to know that you were charmed into working for someone who eventually scammed you and your colleagues and scammed hundreds of people as clients and teachers.

My assessment of this man is that he is a narcissist, egomaniac, and pathological liar. He truly sees himself as incredibly important and he must feel he has the right to these peoples' money. Or else, why would someone do this? I believe that he intended to run a decent business at first but he was full of crazy ideas. He was always telling employees of his outlandish ideas to expand and expand and do art lessons, language lessons, etc. The thing is, Mr. Lawson wanted money, and when you only want money and only have greed, you can never provide a truly decent service to people. Mr. Lawson never took the time or care to make sure that things were running smoothly. He did not truly care about his customers and he didn't give a sh*t about his employees.

Mr. Lawson hired me straight out of college. He posted the job on NYFA.org, an incredibly reputable arts organization. So he made the whole thing seem legit. I was desperate for a job. He called me and was enthusiastic and praised my resume and said I was just what he was looking for. I had a phone interview with his partner Heath Mensher and they both seemed nice but I was very uneasy about working from home and not seeing them or meeting them in person. Mr. Lawson offered me the job an hour after my phone interview and I found that extremely odd, but I was in no position to turn it down. I made conditions: I said I'd need to meet at least one of them in person, they'd have to provide me with and pay for my phone line (because he tried to talk me into simply seeking reimbursement from my cell phone bill-I said NO WAY), and eventually they'd have to provide me with a computer.

When I met him he seemed normal, even if a bit too proud, he was dressed well, and he went on and on about the business. He said there was a board, that they had funders, that he was a graduate of Julliard Music School, that everyone working for him was a professional musician. He fed me line after line, and at the time, I swallowed it. There is a lot of power in confidence. When someone tells you at the age of 20 that you could be on the ground running with a new company that will become big...it's exciting.

Cut forward 8 months. Things seemed incredibly out of hand, Mr. Lawson had gone from the sweet talking businessman to a bonafide maniac. He would constantly yell at and send nasty emails to employees. He would swear about customers who were dissatisfied and complain if you ever tried to stick up for the customer and try to help the customer, even though that's what you were hired to do. Eventually, I developed severe stomach pains and an ulcer over working for him. It was 8 months in and I wanted out. I could see where this was going. The day before I left something happened that made me feel like I could see the future of this company: a customer complained that they had been double charged.

When I confronted Michael about this, he said it was just a mistake. He said he'd refund them right away, but based on his past behavior, I knew that wasn't his style. I also knew (from him) that he was the only one with access to the money and the credit card processor. So if it had been a "mistake" then he had made it and also, the odd thing was that the charges were for different amounts, so it wasn't like he accidentally sent through the same charge twice. I was SO happy I was LEAVING. I couldn't stand (emotionally or physically) working for this man anymore.

I am HORRIFIED by what I have read here, but not surprised.

Amadeus "accidentally" didn't pay me the full amount of my last check. I had to threaten and demand in order to get that money. I knew from other colleagues that they weren't getting paid anymore either.

Nothing would please me more than to see that Michael Lawson is brought to justice. He is a scary, scary person. He hires very young people and single mothers. He knows that he can lie to them and keep them on more readily than people who know better or can be choosy with jobs.

I won't regret sharing all of this because I think that people need to understand that he emotionally and verbally abused his employees. The screaming, the swearing, his vulgarity...and his lack of concern when there were problems he had hired YOU to fix...disgusting.

Heath Mensher was in on it too. He would encourage people to lie and just put off clients. He wouldn't handle any situations. I became confused as to what he was doing every day. Probably nothing. These men are greedy little turds with no guts. Heath Mensher was Vice President. You think he didn't know what was going on? Come on...if employees became uneasy so much so that they left how could Heath be so in the dark?

I haven't worked for them in over a year and I look back on that experience as a terrible nightmare.

Please always go with your gut. As soon as you feel like you can't take it anymore, get out! And folks, do not give your credit card out to anyone until you have wind that it is a reputable company.

Former employee -

Thank you so much for that detailed post. It really helped me at least psychologically put everything into perspective. As many times as my gut told me to leave, I'd hang on, they'd cut a check for me at the last minute, and I thought everything was good (late, but good). I only caught on last month when they just out and out STOPPED paying me. They owe me over a grand now - who knows if I'll ever see it. Oh, and Michael is a jerk. I spoke w/ him a few times on the phone, and he's all lies. Teaching for them was a nightmare, but I'm glad I'm done with it and doing what I can to help put Michael where he belongs... jail.

We have a similar story to the above. I was recently charged per cc x2 for 8 weeks of lessons that I did not approve as I knew that the company was behind in payments to to our teacher. I disputed the charges with the cc co. and they credited the $ back and filed a dispute with Amadeus. I tried to contact them through calls, email, and faxed a letter. No reply. I will file this with the rest of the complaints to the FBI. THanks for the contact info.

I am just one of many who taught for the Picasso Home Art School. Most of my lessons were paid after I hounded them for the checks, saying I would not continue to teach if I did not receive payment. But obviously I am out the last 4 lessons I submitted.
The people I talked to who worked for Picasso or Amadeus were for the most part helpful and I think, honest.
I only kept teaching because I wanted to fulfill my contract with the very nice client I was instructing.
Next time I will follow my gut.

I am just one of many who taught for the Picasso Home Art School. Most of my lessons were paid after I hounded them for the checks, saying I would not continue to teach if I did not receive payment. But obviously I am out the last 4 lessons I submitted.
The people I talked to who worked for Picasso or Amadeus were for the most part helpful and I think, honest.
I only kept teaching because I wanted to fulfill my contract with the very nice client I was instructing.
Next time I will follow my gut.

I am just one of many who taught for the Picasso Home Art School. Most of my lessons were paid after I hounded them for the checks, saying I would not continue to teach if I did not receive payment. But obviously I am out the last 4 lessons I submitted.
The people I talked to who worked for Picasso or Amadeus were for the most part helpful and I think, honest.
I only kept teaching because I wanted to fulfill my contract with the very nice client I was instructing.
Next time I will follow my gut.

I am just one of many who taught for the Picasso Home Art School. Most of my lessons were paid after I hounded them for the checks, saying I would not continue to teach if I did not receive payment. But obviously I am out the last 4 lessons I submitted.
The people I talked to who worked for Picasso or Amadeus were for the most part helpful and I think, honest.
I only kept teaching because I wanted to fulfill my contract with the very nice client I was instructing.
Next time I will follow my gut.

Same story: I taught 8 lessons "working for" Amadeus and have not been paid. No reply to e-mail, no response to phone calls. If anyone needs my information for legal action, please contact me at john@johnthecomposer.com.

I have had trouble getting paid for over a year. I have yet to receive my check for March and it looks as if I will never get it. If there is a class action suit please contact me.

nnetlles@yahoo.com

Amadeus owes me money too !
I was a teacher for them and they owe me over $3000.

I emailed them per the blog info and await a response.
I am also trying contact with the New Jersey Attorney General.

Please let me know if anyone is filing a civil suit or any advice that has worked.

Best Regards,

Larry Klass
Cell phone 561-998-9192
Email larryklass@yahoo.com
Web Site http://www.larryklass.com

no money for u

WOW I cant believe this. I work for Amadeus. I have to bother them every every month for my check to come...it would always come late but it would come so i never bothered to think it was a scam. I plan to leave this company immediately but i need to get paid! I honestly cant believe this.

I started teaching for Amadeus back in January and they owe me for 24 lessons, every single lesson that I've taught for them. They charged one of my student's credit cards 4 times in the span of two weeks. I can't believe someone would do this to teachers and students. It makes me sick to my stomach that someone would take advantage of teachers like this. I want to see Mr. Lawson brought to justice. Please, if teachers are organizing to file a class action lawsuit, I would like to help...luke@dolcemusicservice.com, 303-502-7733

I have been swindled I taught 8 lessons the client paid ahead I did not get paid

What everyone is saying here is exactly what happened to me, taught a bunch of lessons, thought the money was coming and was just late, it never came.

PLEASE EVERYONE!! File a complaint with your local law enforcement agency. Let them know that the Sparta police department and the Attorney Generals office are involved but you need to officially file with your local department!

I, too, have been swindled out of getting paid for 8 lessons I gave, from December 2008 to March 2009. I am interested in joining in on a class action suit as well. I can be contacted at :
thehappywanderer62@yahoo.com.

They (Picasso Home Arts School) still owe me $160 for lessons I taught. I don't know what to do. Please contact me: maggieallyson@yahoo.com.

I was a violin teacher employed with "Amadeus Home Music School." I was actually NEVERY paid for the 10 lessons I taught and drove a decent amount to. One of the students has continued to study with me and pay extra out of their own pocket, while my other student has quit. I was embarrassed that such a company could do this to newly employed teachers and students. I am very angry with this company and completely understand with the parents of my students to try everything to sue and get back the money they owe EVERYONE. This company is supposed to support and enrich children's lives through the language of music. It is a shame that they were still scamming people for so long. I am owed about $500, which is nothing compared to some stories above for $2000, but they have my social security # on the application I faxed over to them and I hope that my credit and identity is secure. If there is any kind of lawsuit please contact me at Gabrielle.toscano@gmail.com. Thank you very much!

I was a piano and violin teacher contacted by Amadeus back in December 2007 to start teaching. I eventually had a handful of students, all wonderful and love music. But it's sad that this company ended up the way it is now...taking money from innocent students and parents and taking a long time to provide a refund. It turns out all of my students have had multiple charges to their credit card and had to end up closing the card to prevent anymore charges from going through.

In my case, I have not been paid since January. The check I received bounced and that was suppose to be for 4 lessons * 4 students. I have not received a check since. Most of my students are in their last 10 classes, but add that up with the lessons still unpaid, I'm owed A LOT of money. It's already almost $3000 + 10 lessons each from my five students. It is pathetic what this company has done to both teachers and students. Never in my life would I imagine having a company scam us like this one.

I don't think I will ever be able to see all of my hard earned money. Michael Lawson probably has already run off with the money, never to be seen again! =(

If anyone would like to contact me, please email me at jeanny209@yahoo.com.

I cannot believe everything I am reading. I signed up and paid for about 32 lessons in advance on two occassions over the past 2 years. The first 16 went by with no problems with the teacher getting paid (as far as "I" know - she never complained to me.) Michael Lawson CALLED ME after 16 lessons saying it was customary for them to call at mid-semester to check up and to arrange for payment for lessons for another semester at that point -- if we wanted to continue the lessons. He was sponging off the goodwill of the piano teacher b/c she is a dear and did a great job so I said ok and authorized another 32 lessons - AND PAID FOR IT with the credit card they already had on file and were eager and ready to charge.
We only ever use the lessons when we go on long weekends to the city where the piano teacher also lives, so we haven't had the opportunity to use any more than 30-40 of the 64 lessons we have paid for in advance.
After our most recent long weekend up there, the piano teacher advised us something was wrong b/c she wasn't getting paid and no one was returning her calls at Amadeus. In good faith, we paid her directly for those services provided to our children - that Amadeus had stiffed her for. THIS after they had been PREPAID $2080.00 plus $2080.000 for lessons in advance. Only after a reasonable passage of time did I attempt to contact Amadeus -- after finding out they still weren't paying up) and found out about their fraud.

I was ripped off too by Picasso home art school, thay charged twice my credit card, did not paid the teacher and disspeared.

I was ripped off too by Picasso home art school, thay charged twice my credit card, did not paid the teacher and disspeared.
If someone is filing a class action lawsuit, please include me, my email is mariela.losada@hotmail.com

I have taught lessons for Amadeus Home Music School, and am owed $320 from the company. Please contact me if there is any attempt for a class action suit. bohn.james@comcast.net

Same story as well, was hired to teach piano to 2 students back in July 2008. I have been paid up until March 2009. Last few payments were late. I am owed about $500. If anyone has any advice of how to get them to pay up, please contact me @ ucfbone@hotmail.com

Thanks!

TO AMADEUS MUSIC SCHOOL,

May 17, 2009

I am writing because I have taught Piano lessons in Las Vegas for you for the past year and a half. To date YOU owe me $900 in lessons that I have taught for the CINDY DELLAVALLE client family.

In the past on a previous account I was paid but SLOWY. I have been sending emails and trying to make phone contact with Amadeus such as Jason Mears, and Cherie Pugh, Teacher Liaison for Amadeus Home Music School for over 3 months now as
well as other #'s associated with AMADEUS School of Music.

I am fully aware of the blogs, and Fraud claims against you and your company. IF I am not paid promptly I will directly contact the FBI and other authorities and take appropriate actions against YOU. I worked tirelessly for you and your company in good faith and with hard work. Your website said that ALL teachers would be paid! Please do not add to your problems with my account.

Steve August
7400 W. Flamingo Rd. # 1025
Las Vegas, NV. 89147
231-838-6419

I think Carl Sgro is as guilty as a 3 dollar bill. Stop hiding!

i know that some of you are horrified by this story, others were scammed whether they were previous employees or students. i will tell you now that i knew michael more than any of u people ever have. i used to live with him when my mother was enganged to him and i even called this man dad. i was confused i didnt understand because i had lost my father at a very young age. if u think this man is disgusting n horrifying just because he has stolen millions of dollars? he abused me when i was 9. that is the kind of man micheal lawson is. he mind minipulated my mom into taking care of his infant son from a previous marrige, using all of her money, cheating, and leaving us with nothing. over half my college fund n the money that was left from my biological father is gone because of him. micheal lawson isn't human. he is demonic. he almost ruined my childhood. this man deserves to be tortured n locked up. i hope he dies a slow and painful death.

Hey all.

I am a teacher for Amadeus music and they owe me aroun $300 for lessons.

I am looking for teachers or students in the Bay Area that have been ripped off by Mike Lawson. I want to compile a case to go to the police dep. with. There are two other police agencies in the US compiling cases against Mike. One agency posted a $20k+ reward for Mike. If we can get more, We can get the FBI involved.

Talking to an investigator (Ill release all the info to the people that contact me) Mike is up and ran away with around $500,000 in your money. Hundreds have been duped.

I think Mike is keeping tabs on this site. Email me for more info

I am Carl Sgro and I am not hiding from anyone. My number is 973 283 2185. My company has registered domain names and built websites for Micheal Lawson, including at one time offering for sale a list of names that Michael Lawson had paid for, so that I could recoup what Michael owed me.

I never had anything to do with Amadeus's business and until this forum have never spoken with a client or teacher. If Michael would have paid me in full I would have transferred the domains to him. I am more a victim than any of you as I am owed money and reputation.

Those that are accusing me and defaming my name are worst than Michael Lawson. Whoever "your Mom" is, is clearly uninformed. Read all the previous posts, including mine. I have never hid from anyone and am always available. No reason for me to hide.

Many folks have lost money dealing with Michael Lawson. As a result of this blog, I have had my reputation defamed and attacked. In over 40 years of business I have never beat anyone. That goes against all I believe and practice.

People who post anonymously these malicious lies about me I assume will pay in the next life if not this one.

Help me Howard - set the record straight.

Dear sdhbrfdteg,
I was particularly disturbed by your story of Mr. Lawson. If what you say is true, I hope you are reporting this to the police who are investigating the credit card fraud. Perhaps you will be saving another mother and child from what you suffered. You will also strengthen the case for all those whose credit cards were abused by this man's company. There are numbers posted in this site. --Concerned

Dear sdhbrfdteg,
I was particularly disturbed by your story of Mr. Lawson. If what you say is true, I hope you are reporting this to the police who are investigating the credit card fraud. Perhaps you will be saving another mother and child from what you suffered. You will also strengthen the case for all those whose credit cards were abused by this man's company. There are numbers posted in this site. --Concerned

Dear Mr. Carl Sgro.

You have spoken to clients and teachers. Don't lie. I believe you are as guilty as Michael Lawson, if not more. You are a LIAR and a cheat. Don't hide anymore and just giving up your info is a way for you to look not guilty and take the suspicions off of you, when infact they are on you.

Michael Lawson has up and run with $500,000 owed.
The New Jersey Attorney General stated that on May 12, 2009, the Township of Sparta Police Department located in Sparta, New Jersey obtained a warrant for the arrest of Michael Lawson, the alleged owner of the referenced businesses (Amadeus Home Music School, Allegro Home Music School, Picasso Home Art School).
To date, Mr. Lawson has not been arrested and his whereabouts are not known.
Translation: He has disappeared with everyone's money. Where has he gone???
The Attorney General office suggests people retain private counsel but also reiterates that his whereabouts are currently unknown which may seriously limit ones ability to address this entire situation.
With all of this being said, Michael Lawson is the person to be blamed. We were all tricked by him, a true sociopath.
So clearly, Carl Segro (sp?) has been horribly scammed just like everyone else. He was hired by Michael Lawson, like everyone else and was not paid by Michael Lawson, like everyone else. Leave him alone and focus your energy on the actual crook, yup, Michael Lawson.

Thanks for the info about the arrest attempt, etc., former employee. I wonder who you are as I figure we've communicated before because I did many lessons with Amadeus.

I think I and other people should now (if many have not already) talk to the police, DOL, etc. to do what needs to be done about the VP Heath Menscher including investigating and possibly criminally charging him as well. If he's innocent (which certainly appears VERY UNLIKELY) with the way he talked (or didn't) to Howard for his WPIX Channel 11 news show, he should have a wealth of info about the company's activities. Probably knows plenty about Lawson and maybe where he is.

Anybody know about Menscher? The authorities certainly need to. Hope he isn't on the lam too.

I absolutely agree with every word Former Employee has said. I ALMOST worked for him myself. Like Former Employee, I got the ad on NYFA, and was called for an interview. Actually, when he called me, he said "Can you meet me at French Roast (restaurant on the UWS) in 15 min?" Uh, sure.

Like an idiot, I got there. I waited almost half an hour for him to show. Just as I was about to leave, he showed up. When he arrived, it was like something out of a movie--he was a very handsome, well-dressed man, much too busy chattering on his cellphone to notice that he'd kept me waiting for half an hour.

He hired me before the sandwiches even came out. He told me I was perfect for the job, and told me he'd make me a VP within 4 months (!!?!?!). By the end of the conversation, he'd promised to "work it out" for me so that my entire rent would be covered, as would all of my utilities, and I would get "benefits" including a "Golden Parachute" plan after 10 years (keep in mind, this was all after less than 30 minutes of conversation). Oh, and I also wasn't going to have to pay taxes (WHAT?!) All along the way, he kept talking about when he was at Julliard (which later turned into "When I was at Berklee" and even later "When I was at Mannes." Couldn't even get his own story straight).

It was absolutely too good to be true, but part of me wanted to believe it and thought that it could actually be real. So I told him to send me the offer in writing.

He sent me the offer letter the next day, detailing how he'd "worked it out" for me. He also sent me a non-compete agreement--which, if I'd signed, would have locked me out of ANY FORM of the music business for 30 YEARS! 30 YEARS! Unimaginable.

At this point I felt certain that there was something seriously wrong with this man, and politely declined his offer via email. I haven't heard from him since.

My heart truly goes out to all of you, including all of his employees. He is beyond slick, and after reading all of this, I think he might actually be Satan! Even reading my own words, I can't believe that I thought, even for a second, that it was legit, but I truly considered it for a good three or four days before finally rejecting his offer.

I hope you all get the money that is owed to you, and I hope that Michael Lawson rots in jail.

I cannot believe that. French Roast is where he met me. Wow...how calculated. He doesn't even live in Manhattan. He probably just likes the UWS and knows it looks better and like he has a lot of money.
We need to catch this guy.

And please let's not forget about Heath Mensher. I would really like to know--have always wanted to know--what Heath Mensher thought. What were you thinking, man? What were you thinking all that time you were telling me to hold on and that you'd talk to Michael? How were you in on this? How did you get involved in this?

Heath, if you're reading, you should seriously consider answering these questions and stop protecting Michael Lawson.

I was afraid of both Michael and Heath. Honestly, the reason I didn't quit sooner was because I could see that these guys could get angry, especially Michael; I could see they weren't opposed to lying and cheating. What would keep them from ruining MY life?

This whole thing is just so scary. We need to nab these guys.

HEATH, if you ARE innocent, come forward and provide, for once, the TRUTH and the FACTS.

I have to admit that I am partially guilty. Guilty for ever associating with a crook named Michael Lawson. Also, I am not as innocent as you think I am.

I completed my contracts with Amadeus. They owe me a lot of money. Anyone with news on this matter, let me know. A copy of my contract, etc is going to the New Jersey ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
OFFICE. Hopefully, matters will turn around for Mr. Lawson and he will decide to honor his part of the contracts to the music educators. All employees who contacted me were very professional.

I have been reading these blogs for the past few months in a state of shock because I knew Michael Lawson very well … or at least I thought I did. We dated on and off for 6 years, I wound up helping Michael as an "investing partner" with this business because, as a fellow musician, I thought it was a wonderfully positive idea and because I trusted him. Now I owe over $30,000 in personal loans, and I recently learned that I am liable for $500,000 in credit chargebacks from this fraud I took no part in. I also learned that Michael had a fiance he never told me about, and she had to file for bankruptcy. I also believe the shocking story I read above from sdhbrfdte for reasons I would rather not state on this blog. During the first 4 years we dated, Michael always seemed to have a lot of money, and he was very generous with it. Now I realize this was money he most likely conned from other women victims. I waited a long time to write this blog because of how humiliating this experience has been and also because I was afraid of Michael reading this and coming after me for revenge. Right now I would like to know if there is anyone else out there who had been victimized in this way by Michael. If so, please write me at sandyjns9@gmail.com.

I have been reading these blogs for the past few months in a state of shock because I knew Michael Lawson very well … or at least I thought I did. We dated on and off for 6 years, I wound up helping Michael as an "investing partner" with this business because, as a fellow musician, I thought it was a wonderfully positive idea and because I trusted him. Now I owe over $30,000 in personal loans, and I recently learned that I am liable for $500,000 in credit chargebacks from this fraud I took no part in. I also learned that Michael had a fiance he never told me about, and she had to file for bankruptcy. I also believe the shocking story I read above from sdhbrfdte for reasons I would rather not state on this blog. During the first 4 years we dated, Michael always seemed to have a lot of money, and he was very generous with it. Now I realize this was money he most likely conned from other women victims. I waited a long time to write this blog because of how humiliating this experience has been and also because I was afraid of Michael reading this and coming after me for revenge. Right now I would like to know if there is anyone else out there who had been victimized in this way by Michael. If so, please write me at sandyjns9@gmail.com.

SJNS,
That is horrible. I am so sorry that happened to you. I also was very afraid of Michael Lawson while I worked for him. I thought if I quit he'd do something crazy. He was always flying off the handle.
This man is a terrible person. It's unbelievable and scary that I was working under someone so diabolical. Do you know anything about how he met Heath Mensher and also what Heath Mensher's role in all of this was? He was Vice President, and I've been curious for some time about how much he was aware of and whether he's run off with money too. Heath always seemed like a pretty ridiculous person to me. He was nice enough, but he just was paranoid all the time. During certain times people would call and say they were the police. I still don't know whether that was real or not, but when I would confront Heath about that he would FREAK OUT. I think he knew about everything. Heath, again, I am asking you to come forward and share your information about Michael Lawson. If you don't, you're just as guilty as he is.

SJNS,
That is horrible. I am so sorry that happened to you. I also was very afraid of Michael Lawson while I worked for him. I thought if I quit he'd do something crazy. He was always flying off the handle.
This man is a terrible person. It's unbelievable and scary that I was working under someone so diabolical. Do you know anything about how he met Heath Mensher and also what Heath Mensher's role in all of this was? He was Vice President, and I've been curious for some time about how much he was aware of and whether he's run off with money too. Heath always seemed like a pretty ridiculous person to me. He was nice enough, but he just was paranoid all the time. During certain times people would call and say they were the police. I still don't know whether that was real or not, but when I would confront Heath about that he would FREAK OUT. I think he knew about everything. Heath, again, I am asking you to come forward and share your information about Michael Lawson. If you don't, you're just as guilty as he is.

SJNS,
That is horrible. I am so sorry that happened to you. I also was very afraid of Michael Lawson while I worked for him. I thought if I quit he'd do something crazy. He was always flying off the handle.
This man is a terrible person. It's unbelievable and scary that I was working under someone so diabolical. Do you know anything about how he met Heath Mensher and also what Heath Mensher's role in all of this was? He was Vice President, and I've been curious for some time about how much he was aware of and whether he's run off with money too. Heath always seemed like a pretty ridiculous person to me. He was nice enough, but he just was paranoid all the time. During certain times people would call and say they were the police. I still don't know whether that was real or not, but when I would confront Heath about that he would FREAK OUT. I think he knew about everything. Heath, again, I am asking you to come forward and share your information about Michael Lawson. If you don't, you're just as guilty as he is.

http://www.thealternativepress.com/article.asp?news=4319

There is a warrant for Michael Lawson's arrest. Is anyone still checking up on this issue? If this is let go (which I'll bet he is counting on) then nothing will ever be solved. This man belongs in jail.

Here's the story from the link:
June 12, 2009: Detective Carroll charged Michael Y. Lawson, age 37, of Sparta with fraudulent use of a credit card and theft by unlawful taking. The charge is the result of an investigation into Amadeus Home Music School and the fraudulent use of customers credit cards. Mr. Lawson is currently wanted by the New Providence Police on a warrant in the amount of $25,000.00 and anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Carroll.