Sag Gets Spinmeisters At Cut Rate For Ata Pitch

A pair of high-profile Democratic political consultants took a 66% pay cut to consult with the Screen Actors Guild during its contract negotiations with the Association of Talent Agents. The two were brought on for public relations strategy and crisis management in the event that SAG and the ATA reached an impasse.

The duo of Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani — dubbed the "Masters of Disaster" for helping former President Clinton with damage control through several scandals during his tenure — normally charge a $30,000 monthly fee plus expenses. SAG has been paying them $10,000 a month plus expenses since the two came on board in January, when negotiations with the ATA were ongoing. The two remain employed by SAG on a month-to-month basis.

Lehane and Fabiani's fee — which has been a source of controversy in the guild — was revealed in an e-mail from SAG national executive director and CEO Bob Pisano to SAG treasurer Kent McCord. McCord, who is leading the forces opposed to the tentative franchise agreement with the ATA, has been vocal in his disapproval of the hiring of Lehane and Fabiani and had refused to sign off on SAG's LM2 statements until Pisano disclosed the fees.

The LM2s, which detail the salaries of SAG employees, are submitted annually to the Department of Labor and require the signatures of SAG's president and treasurer.

SAG and the ATA reached a tentative deal last month and are now awaiting approval from SAG members, who will be voting on the deal over the next two weeks. Referendum ballots were sent out Wednesday and are due back April 19.

"I am sure you can understand my dilemma in this matter: On the one hand, I am being asked to take full responsibility for the financial report to be filed with the Department of Labor, and on the other hand, I am being denied information that should be fully disclosed and transparent to the members of the Screen Actors Guild," McCord wrote in an e-mail to Pisano and SAG attorney David Alter. (Generally, consultant fees are not included in LM2 filings.)

"As you know, I have repeatedly offered to provide the information you seek, on a confidential basis, to you and members of SAG's finance committee," Pisano wrote in his response. "To date, you have not responded to my offer, suggesting that your intent is to spread the information on the public record."

Pisano continued: "While under these circumstances I believe it is well within my authority and responsibility as SAG's NED/CEO to withhold supplying the information to you, your latest communication requires me to balance the risk associated with giving you the information against the risk of subjecting SAG to yet another public humiliation. Given that stark choice, I opt in favor of preserving SAG's reputation."