Kevin Risto v. Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

I. INTRODUCTION

On June 22, 2018, plaintiff Kevin Risto, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated (collectively, “plaintiffs’’), filed this action in the Los Angeles Superior Court against defendants the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”) and American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (“AFM”) (collectively, “the Unions”); Raymond M. Hair, Jr., Tino Gagliardi, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Stephanie Taub, Jon Joyce, and Bruce Bouton (collectively, “the Trustees”); and Does 1 through 10. Dkt. 1-1 (“Compl.”). Plaintiffs allege that, by enacting a Service Fee agreement with the Unions, the Trustee defendants violated their fiduciary duties to their beneficiaries. Id. These beneficiaries include plaintiff Risto and other non-featured performance artists. Id. Plaintiffs also allege claims against all defendants for (1) money had and received, (2) conversion, and (3) declaratory relief. Id. On August 17, 2018, defendants removed this matter to this Court, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d). Dkt. 1. Magistrate Judge Paul L. Abrams (the “Magistrate Judge”) issued…