Reality TV Star “Bridezilla” Charged with Workers’ Compensation Fraud

Anita Maxwell, a guest on Season 4 of the reality television show “Bridezillas” in 2007, was recently arraigned in California on multiple felony charges stemming from allegations of workers’ compensation fraud resulting in improper receipt of over $40,000 in benefits.

Maxwell, who also was left at the altar during her appearance on the popular show, was employed by the Cedars-Sinai Health System and came under investigation in 2012 after a claim for a neck, back, and shoulder injury. Reportedly, Maxwell denied pre-existing conditions although she …

December 3, 2014 Antitrust / TV

NHL Says No Common Question, No Common Answer, No Class Certification

In a court document released last week, NHL, Comcast, and others urged that the court should not grant a class certification to a group of TV broadcasting service subscribers who brought an antitrust action. The defendants including NHL, Comcast, MLB and others argued that since the plaintiffs had failed to show common impact with common evidence, granting a class certification was not proper.

In 2012, the subscribers commenced the suit alleging that the restrictions imposed by the NHL and MLB on local TV broadcasters are …

November 16, 2014 Litigation / TV

Keyshia Cole Back in Court for Late Night Melee

Platinum recording artist and reality television star, Keyshia Cole, was summoned to court on Wednesday, November 12, for battery and negligence allegations arising out of a 5 a.m. fisticuffs back in September.

The Grammy nominated artist went to see Cash Money CEO Birdman, who she is dating, around 5 AM at his West L.A. penthouse. Inside, she found him with long-time friend and employee Sabrina Mercadel. While the complaint states Birdman and Mercadel share a “plutonic [sic] relationship,” Ms. Cole was enraged and proceeded to …

November 14, 2014 Contract / TV

Bravo Sued for Conspiracy by Creators of “Real Housewives”

Last week, two original creators of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” sued their one-time partner and the television network, Bravo, for fraud, civil conspiracy, and breach of contract.

The plaintiffs, Kevin Kaufman and Patrick Moses, claim to have developed the original idea for the first “Real Housewives” series with producer Scott Dunlop. The three sold the show to Bravo in 2005 and created the production company, Ventana, in 2006 to produce the show. The complaint alleges that after the show aired, Dunlop and …

November 13, 2014 Defamation / TV

Nancy Grace’s False Accusations Land Her in Court

On Monday, November 10, a lawsuit was filed in Denver against television commentator, Nancy Grace, for defamation. Known for her aggressive on-air antics, Grace could be facing more than just one complaint.

The lawsuit filed this week stems from a false crime report out of Denver back in January. A woman, after putting her children to bed at night, saw a man’s photo on her cell phone and called the cops. She told the police she thought he broke into her home, took a selfie …

November 6, 2014 NFL / TV

FCC Asked to Block Renewal of TV Licenses for Use of Word “Redskins”

The broadcast licenses of two Los Angeles TV stations have been challenged for their use of the name “Redskins” on air.

Four Native Americans filed petitions with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking it to deny license renewals for Fox-owned KTTV and NBC-owned KNBC-TV. Three petitions were filed against KTTV, a station which broadcasts Redskins football games, on October 31. The KNBC petition was filed on November 3, just in time for the deadline on such petitions. All four were filed with the assistance of …

October 25, 2014 Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark / TV

Goodfellas Actor Suing The Simpsons Maker for $250M over ‘Louie’ Character

Frank Sivero, who played a mobster role in the 1990 mobster film Goodfellas, sued Fox Television Studios (“Fox”) for $250 million, claiming the ‘Louie’ character in its long-running popular cartoon show The Simpsons was based on his interpretation of ‘Frankie Carbone’ in Goodfellas.

In a suit filed yesterday, Sivero argued that “The Simpsons’ continued use of [his] image and likeness for commercial purposes are all done without [his] consent and without compensating [him].” Sivero claimed his rights were violated under California’s publicity …

October 3, 2014 Fraud / TV

Real Prison Sentence for ‘Real Housewives’ Stars

On Thursday, October 2, reality television stars, Giuseppe and Teresa Giudice were sentenced to staggered prison sentences for several counts of fraud.

The married couple, starring on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” were indicted in 2013 on 39 counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and making false statements on loan applications. Additionally Giuseppe failed to file tax returns for the years 2004 – 2008. The couple originally pleaded not guilty, but changed their mind in March …

October 3, 2014 NFL / TV

FCC Eliminates Its NFL Blackout Rule

Here in Buffalo, football fans are enraged by the words “Blackout Rule.” That reaction, however, may be a thing of the past. On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) voted unanimously to end the rule.

The nearly 40 year old rule was enacted by the FCC to promote attendance at local games. It did so by banning cable and satellite providers from airing local broadcasts of a game that did not meet attendance requirements. More specifically, a local broadcaster cannot air a game within a …

September 29, 2014 Litigation / Tax / TV

Tax Situation Could Land “Jersey Shore” Star in Prison

On Wednesday, September 24, Mike “the Situation” Sorrentino of the MTV show “Jersey Shore,” appeared in court with his brother Marc to plead not guilty of federal tax related charges.

The Sorrentinos were charged with multiple counts: conspiracy to defraud the US, filing false tax returns, and failing to file a tax return, resulting in a failure to pay for taxes on $8.9 million of income. The brothers allegedly claimed millions in personal and business expenses including clothing, vehicles, and grooming. The charges stem from …