A recent court filing reveals a dramatic case of alleged deception and financial misconduct involving a California-based film production company. Maria Tello, the plaintiff, filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco on November 25, 2024, against Healed LLC and its managing members Nanci Gaglio and Shirin Etessam. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of multiple counts including constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, securities fraud under Corporations Code § 25401, violation of Business and Professions Code § 17200, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to the complaint filed by Maria Tello through her attorneys at Johnson & Johnson LLP, the case centers around an investment she made in a film project titled "Healed." Tello alleges that she was misled into investing $80,000 under false pretenses by Gaglio and Etessam. The lawsuit claims that Gaglio initiated a romantic relationship with Tello in May 2021 with the ulterior motive of defrauding her. Within weeks of their meeting, Gaglio allegedly began discussing Tello's finances and encouraged her to invest in the film as a means to support the lesbian community.
Tello asserts that she was promised a risk-free investment backed by a distribution agreement with Breaking Glass Pictures for $500,000—a claim she later discovered was false. Instead of securing such an agreement, it is alleged that no substantial deal existed beyond a non-binding letter of interest from Breaking Glass Pictures. Moreover, Tello contends that she was misled about other investors' involvement and the actual budget for the film. She claims that Gaglio presented her with an altered investor proposal deck omitting critical budget information which would have revealed discrepancies had it been included.
The complaint further details how Gaglio assured Tello there were additional investors contributing similar amounts when in reality only two other investments totaling $15,000 were procured after Tello's initial contribution. As time progressed without any return on her investment or transparency regarding financial updates from Healed LLC's managing members—Gaglio allegedly resorted to threats against Tello’s personal life when pressed for answers.
In light of these allegations spanning several months until March 2024 when key revelations came to light through Shantell Yasmine Abeydeera—another involved party—Tello seeks justice through various forms of relief including actual damages; punitive damages; rescission; restitution; disgorgement; injunctive relief; constructive trust; non-economic damages along with pre-judgment interest and costs associated with this suit.
Representing Maria Tello are attorneys Douglas L. Johnson and Glenn R. Coffman from Johnson & Johnson LLP while no specific legal representation is mentioned for Healed LLC or its managing members within this document itself nor are any presiding judges listed beyond case identification CGC-24-620096.