BRUCE WILLIS - TALENT AGENT SUED OVER WILLIS CLAIMS

TALENT AGENT SUED OVER WILLIS CLAIMS

The former boss of a Hollywood talent agency is facing legal action over accusations he used BRUCE WILLIS' name to strike a multi-million dollar production deal.
Chris Eberts filed papers at Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday (02Dec08) accusing Arnold Rifkin, former president of the William Morris Agency, of duping him into setting up a production company with him.
Rifkin co-founded a production company with Hollywood star Willis in 1999 and the pair released 15 films together before going their separate ways in 2006.
Eberts claims Rifkin played on his previous link to the actor to persuade him to start their own company, Rifkin-Eberts, LLC, together in 2007.
Eberts insists he was led to believe that Rifkin was still close to Willis and the star would be "committed to starring in future projects".
Willis never signed on for any of the firm's movies - and Eberts is now suing his former partner for reportedly misleading him.
The papers also contest $3 million (GBP2 million) of alleged unpaid debt associated with their company's movies Timber Falls, Stag Night and Night Train.
However, Rifkin's lawyer, Glen Rothstein, has refuted the claims, telling TMZ.com, "First, we categorically deny all accusations Mr. Eberts is making... We currently have a pending arbitration against him, suing him for between $5-10 million.
"Obviously, this is a nuisance, but I am confident Mr. Rifkin's rights will be vindicated."