Studio Partners Ripped Me Off!

Here's a brief synopsis of what occurred:

• October 15, 2002 - Studio Partners filed (you might have to search for "Studio Partners" if this link is broken) as a Nevada Corporation
• About the beginning of 2003, Studio Partners began soliciting for investors in their new movie production funding business. Investors were offered a 10% dividend payable through the end of 2004.  Each unit cost $50,000 and investors were allowed to buy a fraction of a unit.
• Headquartered at 23679 Calabasas Road, Suite #333, Calabasas, CA 91302; 818-264-3911 / 877-30-FILMS.  They later moved to 21860 Burbank Blvd., North Building, Suite #370, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
• I visited their office in the Spring of 2003 and met personally with all the staff, including Matt and Evan.  I made two separate investments with them in 2003.
• At some point they became known as Makelo Entertainment.  The old website as of June 2006 no longer works (www.makelo.com), although it was running up until last month with no updates since March 2004.
• March of 2004 - Announced that they will be funding the production of "Book Of Joe".
• Final dividend payment made in March of 2004 which was well short of the paying the dividend until the end of 2004.
• March 2, 2005 - Announcement of partnership with an investment company for the rest of the funding for the "Book of Joe" production.  [More information later on this...please check back!]
• All the way until the end, the partners came up with a myriad of excuses as to why the production of the movie had not began.  The excuses ranged from "still raising money" to "the weather is not quite right for the filming in Canada".

• July 2005 - A final investor communication went out announcing all is well and on track for the production of "Book of Joe".  The old phone numbers (including the 800 number) were disconnected and the address changed.  The only phone number given out with the newsletter was 818-623-6692.
• September 2005 - The only known phone number was disconnected.  All known agents and partners cell phones connected with Makelo/Studio Partners appear to have been disconnected at the same time.
• November 1, 2005 - The corporation status of Studio Partners, LLC went into default.
• More detailed information.
• Documents
• June 3, 2006 - This site was launched
• June, 2006 - Spoke with SEC agent about lodging a formal complaint against Studio Partners.  We can go at these guys at the Federal, State, and Local levels!
• September, 2006 - Karen Patterson of Department of Corporations in California stated that she has our case (needs more reports!)
• January 29, 2007 - California Corporations has issued a Cease and Desist Order
• 2/2007 - As of now, this site has uncovered 14 investors (11 of which I have been able to contact)!
• 9/2007 - At this point, I am disheartened to admit that law enforcement agencies appear to be turning the other way on pursuing any prosecution.  Hence, we probably need to pursue this through civil means.  This can be costly unless we find an attorney that would be "friendly" to the case and/or willing to do the case on a contingency basis.
• LOOK AT THEIR SMILES.  I'M SURE THEY'RE HAPPY THAT THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH OUR HARD EARNED MONEY!