The promoter had already spent more than $24,000 flying the group to Utah by private plane for a Choice Humanitarian benefit, hoping in turn to get the charity's support for his own next gala in Los Angeles.
But each new event brought fresh demands. When a planned Diana Ross charity fete fell apart, Tonken rounded up Cosby -- but was struggling to come up with his $75,000 fee.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday December 23, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 39 words Type of Material: Correction
Charity events -- Not all of the charities and institutions mentioned in an article on the front page of Section A on Dec. 8 about event promoter Aaron Tonken had knowledge of his plans or his dealings with celebrities.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday December 26, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 93 words Type of Material: Correction
Aaron Tonken -- A Dec. 8 article about event promoter Aaron Tonken on the front page of Section A said Bill Cosby had been sent a contract by the William Morris Agency stating that he was to receive a luxury sedan for a charity event. A Steve Lopez column in the California section Dec. 10 made a similar reference to the car. The article and the column should have made it clear that the sedan would have been for Cosby's use only as transportation to and from the event, which never was held.
"Will & Grace" star Eric McCormack agreed to introduce honoree Kelsey Grammer -- apparently without any charge by either -- at a glittery fall 2002 charity gala. The event, held at rocker Rod Stewart's Beverly Park estate, was to benefit after-school programs and a performing arts foundation. But Tonken was still scratching to meet an $8,730.57 bill for tickets to send McCormack to Europe after the actor hosted an earlier event.
McCormack's manager didn't respond to repeated requests for comment.
A week before the September dinner, moreover, Stewart's manager, Arnold Stiefel, charged Tonken $24,618 for a chartered plane that flew Stewart home for the evening. According to travel agency records, Tonken also was billed for more than $40,000 in travel by Stiefel and his associates in the months surrounding the charity event.
Beyond that, a Stiefel associate received a $5,000 consulting fee billed to the charity gala.
Stiefel declined to comment. A source close to the manager said Stiefel believed his travel was being covered by free airline vouchers. The source also said Stewart was never repaid for the chartered plane.
Then there was actress Camryn Manheim, who emceed that night. Earlier, after Manheim had helped out with the kickoff of a Family Celebration, Tonken had rewarded her with a 1994 Harley-Davidson motorcycle worth $24,000, according to a bill of sale from Thunder Road Classic Cycles in Los Angeles. But this time, she was disappointed when Tonken failed to deliver on his promise of an around-the-world trip for her brother, law professor Karl Manheim, during his sabbatical from duties at Loyola Law School.
In a Nov. 21, 2002, e-mail, the professor told Tonken: "As you might expect, this is not a loss we will simply accept. Since our damages are likely in excess of $50,000, it would be prudent for us to pursue all legal remedies."
Camryn Manheim declined to comment through a spokesman, and a representative of Karl Manheim said the professor was traveling in India and couldn't be reached. One friend of Manheim's said the actress believed the motorcycle was a promotional gift from Harley-Davidson and that her brother was to travel on free airline vouchers.
