Date: 06-18-2004

Case Style: Intertainment AG v. Franchise Pictures

Case Number: Unknown

Judge: Unknown

Court: Superior Court, Los Angeles County, California

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Scott A. Edelman of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Los Angeles, California

Defendant's Attorney:

Bill Price, Los Angeles, California

Description:

Intertainment AG sued Franchise Pictures and Elie Samaha for fraudulently inflating invoices relating to the cost of producing films being produced by Franchise for Intertainment and others. Intertainment AG contracted with Franchise in 1999 to partially fund a number of films in return for the European distribution rights to the films including "Driven" with Sylvester Stallone, "The Whole Nine Yards" starring Bruce Willis, a remake of "Get Carter" with Stallone and "The Art of War" featuring Wesley Snipes. Intertainment paid the first installment of $77 million but refused to pay any further payments after it concluded that it was being over billed.

Samaha admitted that the costs were inflated but denied that he ordered that the bills be inflated.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $77 million in compensatory damages.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: None