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Corporate Governance · Lawsuit · Media Industry · Paramount
Vegas gambler R.J. Cipriani expanded his lawsuit against Paramount President Jeff Shell, now including Paramount, Skydance, Larry and David Ellison, RedBird Capital, and Paramount's board, seeking $150 million for alleged unwritten PR services and claiming negligent supervision.
R.J. Cipriani initially sued Jeff Shell for $150 million, alleging an unwritten contract for crisis communications services. Shell vehemently denied these claims, counter-suing Cipriani for defamation and extortion, asserting Cipriani sought an undeserved payday from a fleeting association.
In the amended complaint, Cipriani claims he provided strategic advice and orchestrated a Hollywood Reporter article that saved Paramount $1.5 billion in a dispute with "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges Shell disclosed non-public information, including a statement that Paramount Skydance is overpaying for Warner Bros., and a purported interaction where President Trump offered Larry Ellison intervention in Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros.
Paramount has publicly stated the lawsuit is "frivolous" and "entirely without merit," confirming its intent to vigorously defend against all allegations, emphasizing no factual or legal basis exists for claims against the company, its directors, or major shareholders.
