Elite Bankrupt

The model agency that launched the careers of [Naomi Campbell](https://www.contactmusic.com/naomi-campbell), CLAUDIA SCHIFFER, [Cindy Crawford](https://www.contactmusic.com/cindy-crawford) and [Amber Valletta](https://www.contactmusic.com/amber-valletta) has filed for bankruptcy, blaming expensive lawsuits.

The ELITE MODEL AGENCY's fate now lies in the hands of a New York state judge, who has arranged a Friday (20FEB04) hearing to decide whether a receiver should be appointed to oversee the company's finances.

Among its many legal problems, Elite - who were set up by JOHN CASABLANCAS, the father of THE STROKES singer JULIAN - paid out $4.3 million (GBP2.4 million) last month (JAN04) to VICTORIA GALLEGOS, an ex-employee who was sacked after complaining about the cigarette smoke in Elite's New York offices.

Elite founder MONIQUE PILLARD says, "We are fighting back. We are fed up with these outrageous lawsuits. Now we can get back to running our business."

The agency has approximately 350 models on its books and is the fashion world's top model management firm.

19/02/2004 21:20